Further Extending the Period of a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines Due to Corona Virus Disease 2019 Declared under Proclamation No. 1021, s. 2020

September 10, 2021

PROCLAMATION NO. 1218

FURTHER EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF A STATE OF CALAMITY THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES DUE TO CORONA VIRUS DISEASE 2019 DECLARED UNDER PROCLAMATION NO. 1021, S. 2020

WHEREAS, under Section 15, Article II of the Philippine Constitution, it is the State's Policy to protect and promote the right to health of the people;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 929, s. 2020, was promulgated on 16 March 2020 declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of six (6) months due to Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 1021, s. 2020, was promulgated on 16 September 2020 extending the declared State of Calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one (1) year, effective 13 September 2020 to 12 September 2021, due to COVID-19, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant;

WHEREAS, through the continued joint efforts of the government, the private sector, and the public, significant strides have been achieved in enhancing and improving the country's capability to implement measures against the spread of COVID-19;

WHEREAS, the number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths continue to rise despite efforts and interventions to contain the same;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended the further extension of the declared State of Calamity throughout the Philippines; and

WHEREAS, this declaration will, among others, effectively afford the National Government, as well as local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to continue to implement the COVID-19 vaccination program; utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19; monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities; and provide basic services to the affected populations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby further extend the declared State of Calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one (1) year, effective 13 September 2021 to 12 September 2022, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.

All government agencies and LGUs are enjoined to continue rendering full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.

All law enforcement agencies, with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are hereby directed to continue undertaking all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-One.

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 117, No. 38, p. 9404 on September 20, 2021.