MANILA, Philippines — Several health experts said close coordination between the Commission on Elections and other government agencies will prevent campaign sorties from turning into COVID-19 superspreader events.

Dr. Jaifred Christian Lopez, an independent health consultant and board member of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, said that the formation of campaign committees in different localities can be a venue for coordination.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 10732, the formation of these committees from the national, regional, provincial, municipal and city levels will accept, approve, or disapprove applications for campaigning in a certain place, monitor the conduct of election campaigns, implement Comelec guidelines on campaigning, and designate a category level in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The members of these committees consist of members from Comelec, the Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

For public health specialist Dr. Edrie Alcanzare, the DOH and the DILG are among the executive agencies that should be active in ensuring that health guidelines are followed during campaigns.

Kristine Tomanan, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines – Manila College of Nursing, said the Comelec, DILG and DOH should be clear on how they will implement sanctions in case running candidates breach health protocols.