Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano on Monday, September 20, brushed aside a Department of Health (DOH) advisory against the use of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment even as he admitted that he has taken the antiparasitic drug himself.

“I have used it. Let’s be honest about it – the provincial board members and the capitol’s department heads have been using it, too,” Emano told capitol officials and workers during their Monday morning online gathering.

He said this four days after DOH in northern Mindanao issued an advisory that cautioned governors, mayors, health officers, hospital chiefs, and health care workers in the region against the use of the drug as a COVID-19 treatment.

Despite the DOH advisory, Misamis Oriental’s health chief and chairman of the local COVID-19 task force said his decision to advise the provincial hospitals under the capitol to use ivermectin to treat patients stays.

“I’m a doctor, and I did my research,” said Dr. Jerie Calingasan.

The DOH’s warning was made on September 16, just a day after Calingasan released his advisory that detailed exactly how many milligrams and capsules of ivermectin can be used in treating COVID-19 patients in Misamis Oriental’s eight provincial hospitals.

But Governor Emano said the drug would only be used on patients who have given their consent.

“I’m a doctor, and I did my research,” said Dr. Jerie Calingasan.