Once again, President Rodrigo Duterte has to make a decision whether to extend the general community quarantine (GCQ) for another two weeks or revert it back to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other areas.
Jumpstarting the economy or curbing the spread of the virus are crucial factors to consider when the president makes a decision. Duterte has to consider that without a revived economy providing revenues, the government will not be able to further fund coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) programs and thousands of jobless Filipinos would be unable to feed their families.
Over the past two weeks since the GCQ was implemented in Metro Manila and other key areas, there is notable increase in coronavirus cases reported by the Department of Health.
“There is a recommendation already. We can see, I can say that the numbers did not decrease in Metro Manila and Cebu City. But whatever the next move would be, it will be up to the President,” Spokesman Harry Roque said.
There are only three quarantine levels that are considered for Metro Manila, Cebu City and other GCQ areas – restrict a little through the declaration of MECQ; retain the GCQ status or go into less strict MGCQ.
Roque, however, said the current number of cases won’t allow transition to MGCQ.
While the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and health experts have forwarded their recommendations to the President, Roque said Duterte will still have the last say on the fate of the country by June 16.
Circulating social media posts that the National Capital Region (NCR) and Cebu City will revert back to ECQ next week was also shot down by the authorities.
“The IATF will make a recommendation on June 15, so anything that has been coming out regarding this has no basis. Let’s just wait for the Office of the President to make an announcement,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a press briefing.
