The Department of Health is preparing all local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines to prepare for the gradual easing of the COVID-19 restrictions following the decline in cases nationwide.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said this after Interior spokesperson Jonathan Malaya mentioned that it is possible to put Metro Manila on Alert Level 2 in November.
“Ngayon pa lang, lahat ng LGUs were instructed [to] prepare already because we are seeing less, declining [COVID-19 cases] in all parts of the country except for some na medyo nandiyan pa rin sila doon sa medyo high risk risk classification,” said Vergeire.
“Pero marami na ho ang nakikita natin na talagang papunta na riyan sa direksyon na ‘yan na bababa talaga ang alert level.”
The Philippines is currently in the low-risk classification nationally, after recording a negative 48% two-week growth rate and a moderate risk average daily attack of 5.89 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the DOH on October 25.
Metro Manila is also low-risk when it comes to COVID-19, OCTA Research Group monitoring said this week. It will be recalled that the number of new COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region was the lowest in more than five months (3,218) on Wednesday.
DOH asks all LGUs to prepare for Alert Level 2
The DOH had earlier said that Alert Level 2 might continue in Metro Manila in the coming weeks due to the expected “stabilization” of COVID-19 cases in pre-Delta variant numbers.
“We were able to advise the DILG at iba pa hong mga pamunuan ng mga miyembro ng ating mga miyembro ng IATF na dapat handa na lahat to shift into this Alert Level 2,” said Vergeire.
“Magtulung-tulungan din po tayong lahat. Tayo pong lahat, bawat Pilipino, may obligasyon at responsibilidad na sumunod sa mga pamantayan pangkalusugan.”‘
According to Economic Planning Secretary Karl Chua, on Thursday, up to P3.6 billion will be added to the Philippines’ gross domestic product every week once Kamainilaan is placed on Alert Level 2.
In addition, about 16,000 jobs are expected to be restored to the economy.
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