More NCR mayors want GCQ than MGCQ, Año says

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said most mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) still prefer to retain the region under general community quarantine.

"Ang masasabi ko lang maraming mayors natin sa NCR ang talagang gusto pa rin mag-GCQ," Año said at the sidelines of the inauguration of a mega-complex facility in Taguig City.

He said a consultation with Metro Manila mayors is scheduled on Sunday, September 27, to discuss what will be the next quarantine status in NCR by October.

"Doon namin tatalakayin 'yan, papakinggan natin kung ano 'yung recommendation ng buong Metro Manila Council, kung ano ang kanilang magiging recommendation tapos ikukumpara natin sa data analytics at doon mabubuo natin kung ano ang ire-recommend natin sa Pangulo," Año explained.

"Siyempre ang pinaka-number one concern talaga ng ating mga mayors ay kaligtasan ng kanilang constituents," he added.

Earlier, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Metro Manila could be placed under modified GCQ after September 30 as this would open more industries to revive the economy.

Dr. Antonio Dans, convenor of Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19, has said the decision-making about the quarantine status should not only be based on economic factors.

So far, the Philippines has 296,755 COVID-19 infections, with 231,928 recoveries and 5,127 deaths.—AOL, GMA News