Duterte's decision on Luzon lockdown extension may be made on April 12-14

President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision on Luzon lockdown extension may be made on April 12 to 14, said National Task Force COVID-19 Response Chief Implementor Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Ang nakikita ko magdedecide ang Presidente between April 12 and April 14. Ihahanda pa rin natin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan ,” Galvez said in an interview with dzMM on Monday.

(I think the President will decide between April 12 and 14. We have to prepare other necessities of our countrymen first.)

Galvez also backs up the enhanced community quarantine extension to flatten the curve of the pandemic coronavirus in the country. He said the number of deaths continues to increase while recoveries remain low. Galvez is also the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

Palaces spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there was an emerging consensus for extending the Luzon-wide lockdown for another two weeks.

Emerging consensus for Luzon lockdown extension

“There is an emerging consensus coming from medical experts, businessmen, government officials, and other well meaning individuals that an extension of two weeks for the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown is necessary,” Salvador Panelo said in an emailed statement on Sunday, April 5.

Panelo also said President Rodrigo Duterte “is evaluating the best option to take that will effectively [e]nsure the success of our war against this wily and faceless global enemy. He will make this decision in due time.”

VP Leni Robredo also expressed her support to a 15-to-20-day lockdown extension but urged the government to implement a decentralization of cash aid distribution. 

“I think it is crucial that people understand why [the extension] has to be done. If they don’t understand why it is necessary, there will be resistance,” Robredo said in a television interview.

Opposition Representative Edcel Lagman of Albay province also supported the extension of the Luzon lockdown. However, he recommended LGUs should also extend the steady supply of food and financial aid to the people.

Last week, a Filipino scientist also recommended the lockdown extension, citing the Philippines needs two to three to flatten the curve or lessen the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Dr. Darwin Bandoy, Assistant Professor of the University of California, Davis, in an interview with ANC, said the pandemic cases in the Philippines could reach as high as 250,000 cases in a do-nothing situation.