Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is in favor of extending the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and the four adjacent provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and Laguna.
“Sayang, kasi maganda na yung takbo natin ngayon. Although tumataas, pero napababa natin yung rate. Meron pa tayong 8,000 to 10,000 new cases a day. Sana mapababa natin ito sa 3,000 below,” said Año.
On TeleRadyo, Año said he expects the number of COVID-19 cases to be lower if NCR remains in the MECQ.
“Para sa akin, para tuloy-tuloy ang magandang trend ay palawakin pa natin nang konti yung MECQ,” said Año.
He said there are many things to consider in the decision on the quarantine classification of NCR Plus such as economic and social factors.
He said this will be discussed at the Inter-Agency Task Force meeting this Tuesday where health experts will have a presentation and will also wait for the recommendation of the metro mayors on this matter.
“Kung ano yung magiging collective consensus o agreement of the IATF at kung ano yung magiging desisyon ng ating Pangulo, susunod tayo doon,” he said.
DILG chief favors extending MECQ in NCR Plus
The current MECQ at NCR Plus will last until April 30. Prior to that, the said area was subjected to enhanced community quarantine from March 29 to April 11.
“Bukas ay nagtawag ang ating pangulo na meeting with selected IATF members at ini-expect natin na magkaroon ng announcement tomorrow kung ano man yung magiging bagong classification natin,” he added.
The Department of Health (DOH) and a medical group is also in favor of extending for another 1 or 2 weeks the implementation of MECQ in NCR Plus.
According to the DOH, the number of COVID-19 cases dropped slightly to 9,500 daily average from 10,800 average last week.
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) is also in favor of extending the MECQ.
According to PHAP president Dr. Rene de Grano, no matter how good the ECQ and MECQ have been, one should not be complacent.
“Sana po siguro mas magandang i-extend muna ang MECQ dahil po pagka nagkaroon tayo ng panibagong surge baka hindi na kayanin ng ating health care system,” he said.
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