A House leader expressed strong opposition to the proposal of his colleagues to investigate the OCTA Research group for its pronouncements and studies on the Covid-19 pandemic.

At least five lawmakers filed a House resolution calling for an inquiry on the capabilities and authority of the OCTA Research to conduct studies, predictions on the current health situation.

But according to Deputy Speaker and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, instead of being investigated, this group should be supported, encouraged and requested to continue with their good work and the big help it is giving to our country in fighting this crippling health crisis.

He stressed that members of the group should be considered as among the heroes of the war against the pandemic.

For Rodriguez, the OCTA researchers and fellows, who include mathematicians and health professionals,“are very qualified and their findings are accurate and supported by data.”

He recalled that last May 8, the group warned the national pandemic response task force that Covid-19 cases were increasing in areas outside Metro Manila, including Cagayan de Oro, where it found a 75-percent spike in infections.

The warning prompted him and city officials to call for more vaccines and other forms of assistance to help the city control the surge in cases.

Twelve days later, OCTA again reported that CDO was still a high risk area because of the increasing Covid 19 cases. DS Rodriguez wrote another letter to IATF for more vaccines.

These letters based on OCTA reports resulted in President Duterte ordering the re-calibration of the distribution of vaccines and allocating more vaccines to critical areas like Cagayan de Oro. Since then, CDO have been receiving adequate vaccines.

Two months later, he said the Department of Health reported that five of 11 local Delta variant-infected persons were from Cagayan de Oro and one from Misamis Oriental, the province to which the city belongs.

“OCTA took note of the worsening situation in our city ahead of concerned national officials. Cagayan de Oro thanks OCTA research group,” the solon further said.

Rodriguez also pointed out that the investigation his colleagues are seeking would be a waste of time, effort and precious taxpayers’ money.

“It will just distract OCTA from its work. It will not contribute to our collective effort to fight the rampaging new coronavirus and its highly infectious variants,” he added.