Mayors of Metro Manila unanimously agreed and recommended to transition the National Capital Region to general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 31.
Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia, however, said the final decision would still come from Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Garcia said the Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of the Metro Manila’s mayors, has prepared for shifting to GCQ.
“First, I want to announce unanimously po [na] ang ating NCR mayors are acceptable to the GCQ,” Garcia said.
“But still, we will wait for the decision of IATF and everyone also, unanimously approved… Tutal marami na lumabas na rin sa media na papunta tayo sa gcq kaya so that’s why nag prepare na kami sa GCQ [since there have been many reports in the media that we would transition to GCQ, so that’s why we prepared for the GCQ],” he added.
Some mayors, however, are concerned regarding mass transportation issues, among others, Garcia added.
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He said that the Metro Manila Council was proposing a modified number coding scheme under the GCQ. It is where authorized individuals may go out despite their own coding as long as there are two or more people in the car.
“Para ma-enganyo natin, para atleast ma-maximize natin lahat ng kotseng lalabas to help also the PUVs na limited ang sakay niyan,” Garcia said.
(So we could urge them, to at least maximize vehicles going outside to help also the PUVs with limited passenger capacity.)
“Of course, hindi ka naman puwede mag sakay ng papasyal lang. Eto yung mga essential pa rin and yung mga allowed lumabas… based sa guidelines ng IATf ayun pa rin yung titignan,” he added.
(Of course, you cannot travel for leisure, just for essentials only. We should still follow the IATF guidelines.)
The council was also proposing that local government units be authorized to declare smaller-scale lockdown over certain areas.
“Kaya nga yun yung mga suggestion na puwede, na allowed pa rin mag lockdown ang ating mga local government units if ever makita nila talaga na problematic yung area na ‘yun,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the MMC would also discuss with the IATF recommendations regarding the reopening of malls during GCQ.