MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) believes that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Jr. should remain the contact tracing czar of COVID-19 cases.
This was stated by the agency at the same time as Magalong submitted his resignation to the National Task Force against COVID-19.
“Kami sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan, we believe that he should remain to be in that position,”said Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire.
According to the official, Magalong played a big role in making the country’s contact tracing aggressive towards individuals affected by the coronavirus and their associates.
The mayor is also said to be leading the contact tracing efforts of the Cordillera region due to the recorded case of the more contagious UK variant in Mountain Province.
“Our cooperation with Mayor Magalong is on that level that we really need to call him because he can really assist us.”
It will be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte appointed the Baguio City mayor to the position due to the city’s effective contact tracing.
“We know that the president has that trust, and the DOH also trusts Mayor Magalong.”
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte did not accept the mayor’s resignation from the position.
“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the NTF. ”
