Will quarantine measures be eased in Metro Manila next week? DILG exec doesn't think so

Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday said he believes the quarantine measures in Metro Manila will not be eased next week.

"Dito sa Metro Manila, nakikita natin ang sitwasyon. Huwag na po tayong umasa na magkakaroon ng easing of quarantine," Malaya said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

He however clarified that what he said was his personal opinion, and that the decisions on quarantine measures are made based on scientific data.

"Lahat ay based sa science," Malaya said.

Metro Manila was placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1 after going through enhanced community quarantine and modified enhanced community quarantine. The GCQ was extended until June 30.

Malaya said a technical working group studies the data then makes a recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Meron po tayong tinatawag na Technical Working Group on Data Analytics at sila’y nagbibigay ng recommendation sa IATF. Itong mga rekomendasyon ay binibigay sa ating Pangulo. At napag-usapan po doon sa meeting ng IATF na it will be the President who will make that announcement (on quarantine measures),” he said.

Malaya also said local government units are advised of the recommendations given to IATF, and LGUs are given the chance to appeal the recommendation. —KG, GMA News