Metro Manila mayors agree NCR may transition to GCQ

Mayors of Metro Manila are unanimously in favor of the National Capital Region shifting to a less stringent general community quarantine after May 31.

However, Metro Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said the mayors and the MMDA would still wait for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases as regards the modified enhanced community quarantine still in effect.

Garcia said the Metro Manila Council, composed of the region's mayors, has prepared for the transition 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," he added.

Despite this, Garcia said that some mayors had expressed concern regarding mass transportation among others. 

Garcia said that the council was proposing a modified number coding scheme under the GCQ wherein authorized individuals may go out despite their respective 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.

"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.

Garcia said the council was also proposing that local government units be allowed to issue a 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 council would also discuss with the IATF suggestions regarding the opening of malls under the GCQ.

"Lahat ng napagusapan namin kanina is more sa pag hahanda. Meaning kasi, sabi nga namin, ang NCR should be treated as one. Hindi puwede na ang isang city ay ECQ, 'yung isa MECQ, 'yung isa GCQ," Garcia said.

"[K]ailangan po isa lang ang magiging standard sa buong metro manila kasi nga borderless tayo. Meaning, for example in Makati, hindi lahat ng nag-work sa Makati taga-Makati," he added. -NB, GMA News