Non-extension of ECQ to free up 1.5M workers in several areas –solon

President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to let the enhanced community quarantine expire  in several areas in Luzon on  April 30 will allow some 1.5 million workers to get back to their jobs, House Appropriations Committee chair Joey Salceda said Friday.

But Salceda, During the Laging Handa public briefing, also welcomed Duterte’s decision to extend the ECQ in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and CALABARZON until May 15. 

Also included in the ECQ extension are similarly high-risk areas such as Pangasinan, Benguet, Mindoro island, Albay, and Catanduanes.

Likewise, the ECQ will also stay until May 15 in Antique, Iloilo, Cebu and Cebu City, Aklan and Capiz in the Visayas; and Davao del Norte, Davao City and Davao de Oro in Mindanao.

“Ang natitira po sa ECQ ay nasa 79%... and 92% ng infections nandito sa mga areas under ECQ,” Salceda said.

“‘Pag kinalculate at least isa’t kalahating milyon na workers ang madadagdag... So at least 1.5 million non-essential workers ang makakaluwag at makakapag trabaho,” he said.

The Luzon-wide quarantine was originally scheduled to end on April 13, but Duterte extended it until April 30. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News