(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has lifted the state of public health emergency nationwide, more than three years after his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte declared it because of the Covid-19 pandemic. "While Covid-19 remains to be a serious concern for certain subpopulations and requires continued public health response, the country has maintained sufficient health care system capacity and low hospital bed utilization rates even after the liberalization of Covid-19 health protocols," he said. Duterte issued Proclamation 922, declaring a state of public health emergency all over the country amid the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. Proclamation 922 also stated that the public health emergency declaration would remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the President. Despite the lifting of the public health emergency, Herbosa advised the public to remain vigilant and proactive in their approach to health and safety.
