Disease Risk Management in the Philippines: An Institutional Solution

Abstract

The Philippines has recorded over 1.3 million COVID-19 cases, with around 59 000 being actives cases and over 23 000 casualties as of June 17, 2021. With only a little over 1 percent of the population being fully vaccinated and daily recorded cases trending upwards, the government's pandemic response is continuing to prove lacking. This short research note evaluates the COVID-19 response of the Philippine national government, enumerating key weaknesses in the policy-making process. Based on the weaknesses identified, the research note recommends an institutional solution, specifically the creation of a permanent organization mandated to manage public health crises brought about by infectious diseases, to guarantee a sustained, consistent, and competent disease risk management for the current COVID-19 pandemic and other future threats.

Keywords: health governance, public policy, public administration, COVID-19

JEL Classification: I18, H12, H83