Because of the serious threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic to the health, safety and security of Filipinos, a state of national emergency was declared over the country under Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) 11469, or “the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”

Under the state of public health emergency, President Rodrigo Duterte is empowered to implement several measures. Relevant government entities, including local government units, were empowered to access funding quickly. And to ensure that these entities can properly and timely respond to this emergency, the process to procure the needed supplies and equipment was eased.