President Duterte rejected the resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from his post as contact tracing czar.
In a news statement on Friday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte wants Magalong to continue his duties in spearheading the government’s contact tracing efforts for people who are suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the National Task Force [NTF] Against Covid-19,” Roque said.
Magalong drew public criticisms for his participation in a party held in Baguio City last week, amid prevailing restriction for mass gatherings nationwide due to the pandemic.
The local chief executive later ordered an investigation of the event where there were reported violations in minimum health standards, including not wearing of face masks.
The Department of Health (DOH) tagged Baguio City together with Davao de Oro among the areas, which reached critical level in terms of health-care utilization.
The DOH said Magalong should stay in his post as contact tracing czar as the agency noted his contribution to the government’s Covid-19 response.
“We know that the President has that trust [to Magalong]…the DOH also trusts Mayor Magalong,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media briefing when asked of the DOH’s reaction after Magalong tendered his resignation.
The DOH noted that Magalong played a big role in their contact tracing efforts, especially after the new UK variant was detected in Bontoc, Mt. Province.
“He has helped in the contact tracing of the country a lot and actually, we coordinate with him if we really need him, he can really assist us,” Vergeire said.
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