Two NCR mayors oppose NEDA’s proposal to place entire country under MGCQ

Two mayors on Tuesday expressed opposition to the proposal of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to place the entire country under the least stringent quarantine classification amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro appealed for patience among residents and urged the government to consider health experts' advice regarding the matter.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, Zamora said general community quarantine (GCQ) should be maintained in his city considering it differs only slightly with MGCQ.

“Sa akin mas maganda na manatili muna tayo sa kasalukuyan nating quarantine status. Tutal, padating naman po ang mga bakuna,” Zamora said.

“Eleven months na po tayo ng nasa ilalim ng krisis na ito. Kumbaga, nasa dulo na tayo. Kaunting tiyaga na lang at nakikita ko 'yung ilaw sa dulo ng pinagdadaanan natin,” he added.

For Teodoro, the decision on quarantine classification should be based not only on the insights of economic experts but also on those of health experts.

“Kung ano man ang desisyon ay batay doon sa data na meron tayo sa kaso ng COVID,” Teodoro said in an interview on Unang Balita.

“Pangalawa, doon sa rekomendasyon ng mga experts mula sa ekonomiya at sa kalusugan, mahalaga na marinig natin ang kanilang rekomendasyon,” he added.

Teodoro acknowledged that the proposal of NEDA aims to address the pandemic-induced recession in the country.

"Alam natin na may pandemic-induced recession na tayong nararanasan kaya maraming walang trabaho ngayon. Palagay ko ito naman ‘yung dahilan kung bakit gusto nating mag-MGCQ,” he said.

Aside from recommending placing the entire country under MGCQ, NEDA also suggested expanding the age groups allowed to leave their homes from 15 to 65 years old, to five to 70 years old. In MGCQ areas, those aged 15 to 65 are allowed to go out of their homes currently.

According to Zamora, the latest discussion of Metro Manila mayors is to allow those 15 to 65 years old to go outside their homes. Currently, the government allows persons in Metro Manila between the ages of 18 to 65 to leave their homes. Metro Manila is under GCQ until Feb. 28.

Teodoro added that Metro Manila mayors have not discussed the matter yet. He also pointed out that the mayors should be consulted regarding easing the restriction.

“Walang proper consultation at ito nga 'yung hinihingi ng mga mayor dahil kami ang nasa ground. Ibig sabihin, kami ang nag-e-enforce ng guidelines,” Teodoro said.

“Kailangan ito ay naikokonsulta at kaya natin maipaliwanag sa tao. Hindi po puwedeng arbitrary lamang o walang malinaw na dahilan o batayan,” he added.

On Monday, NEDA proposed placing the entire Philippines under MGCQ starting March 1 to balance the COVID-19 response and the need of Filipinos to start earning and spending.

The other proposals that the NEDA suggested and that the IATF approved for President Rodrigo Duterte's consideration included:

• increasing the capacity allowed in public transport from 50% to 75%;
• complimenting public transport with active transport via bike lanes;
• allowing more provincial buses to operate;
• expanding the age groups allowed to leave their homes from 15 to 65, to five to 70; and
• resuming the pilot-testing of face-to-face classes.

On Monday, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 550,860 as of Monday, the Department of Health said.

Of this number, 511,755 have recovered while 11,517 died. —KG, GMA News