ON-TRACK. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar emphasized that the national governmrnt will continuously intensify efforts to win the war against COVID-19, saying the that the Duterte Administration is confident that it remains "on track to heal and recover as one."

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Sep 17 (PIA) - Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar lauded the efforts of the provincial and local governments of Laguna for its intensified and effective efforts in combatting the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province.

In his message during the series of "Explain, Explain, Explain: Pagdalaw sa Laguna" conferences, Secretary Andanar highlighted the proactive and effective strategies undertaken by officials of Laguna LGUs to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said the full cooperation of the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Ramil Hernandez has enabled the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to implement policies and interventions geared towards addressing the problems brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Nais ko pong i-congratulate ang lalawigan ng Laguna sa pangunguna ng ama ng Laguna, Governor Ramil Hernandez, sa napakagandang ipinakita sa 'ting ehemplo ng communications. Di po napag-iiwanan ang taumbayan sa Laguna," he said.

Secretary Andanar also recognized the response efforts of local chief executives saying that its effective containment strategy has led to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection in their respective cities and municipalities.

The PCOO chief also urged the LCEs to continuously implement such measures as he expressed hope that by containing the spread of the disease, the province could eventually lead to regaining its economic downturns caused by the Luzon lockdown.

He said Laguna, as one of the largest contributors to the nation's economic growth could help the country rebound from its economic losses.

"Ang Laguna ay tinitingala ng lahat ng rehiyon sa Pilipinas kaya malaki ang aming paniniwala kay Governor Ramil Hernandez, na sa kanyang liderato ay maibabangon po natin ang ekonomiya ng Laguna," the PCOO chief said.

Governor Hernandez, meanwhile, expressed full support and cooperation to the national government, saying that its various assistance and interventions have largely contributed in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

"Sa joint effort natin at ng national government ganun din ang tamang koordinasyon sa bawat isa ay masasabi nang inyong lingkod na-control natin ang curve sa pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 dito sa lalawigan," Hernandez said.

"Ramdam na ramdam natin ang assistance ng national government. At lagi nakahanda ang Laguna na sumuporta at kung ano ang pwedeng pagtrabahuhan ng magkasama," the Laguna Governor added.

Secretary Andanar visited the towns of Bay, Los Banos, Victoria, and Calauan on September 14 to 15 as part of his task as the "Big Brother" of Laguna to support the COVID-19 response efforts of local government units in the province.

The PCOO chief was joined by Philippine Information Agency Director-General Ramon Cualoping III, Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, and other key officials of other government agencies including Director Beverly Ho of Department of Health (DOH), Director Justin Batocabe of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Laguna Cluster Head Lorilyn Manrique of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. (FSC)