Metro Manila Mayors Eye Another Extension of ECQ

(SPOT.ph) To date, the Department of Health has recorded a total number of 10,343 positive COVID-19 cases in the Philippines—6,709 of which come from the National Capital Region. The numbers continue to rise, especially since only 0.1% of our population have been tested. With these alarming stats, some city mayors in Metro Manila are pushing for the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

The National Capital Region has been under the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) since March 16. This is expected to be lifted on May 15. The Metro Manila Council, which is composed of 17 mayors, is expected to come up with a unanimous recommendation for the Inter-Agency Task Force after a virtual meeting on May 9.

"I’m joining other [local government units] of Metro Manila to possibly extend the ECQ rather than gamble into downgrading to general community quarantine come May 15," Metro Manila Council chair and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in a report by Manila Bulletin. In an interview by GMA News, the mayor said that they're looking at another 15-day extension; but an article by Inquirer reported that the Metro's policy-making body is discussing the possibility of extending the ECQ all the way to June 15.

Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año, on May 7, said that some cities in Metro Manila are likely to ease into general community quarantine (GCQ) after ECQ ends. "There are areas already in Metro Manila that are actually improving like San Juan and Valenzuela but Quezon City is still really what we call a very high-risk area with the 1,000 positive," he said in an interview on ANC.