Some NCR mayors want shift from ECQ to MECQ after August 20, 2021

Some mayors in the National Capital Region on Thursday shared their preferred quarantine classification as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila is set to end on Friday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan and Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III both suggested modified ECQ (MECQ) as the next quarantine classification in NCR.

Ponce pointed out that minimum health protocols should be enforced strictly despite the ease in restrictions under MECQ.

“Pabor na rin ako (MECQ) pero siyempre kailangan mahigpit pa rin 'yung pagpapatupad ng minimum health protocols,” Ponce said.

(I am in favor of MECQ but of course we need a strict implementation of minimum health protocols)

With the suggested MECQ, Malapitan said that concerned residents should really observe the stay-at-home orders for non-authorized persons outside residence.

“Siguro [pabor ako] kung MECQ kung talagang mai-implement natin 'yung rules na hindi dapat talaga lalabas ng bahay kahit MECQ,” he said.

(Perhaps , I am in favor of MECQ if we will really implement the rules that people will not be allowed to go outside even it is already MECQ.)

Under the ECQ protocol, only essential trips and essential services such as food and medicine are allowed to operate. Compared with ECQ, modified ECQ partly allows other industries to operate but  public transportation remain limited.

IATF decision

Pasig City Mayor  Vico Sotto said he will just wait for the decision of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

However, he added that the Metro Manila mayors are prepared for any quarantine classifications.

“We're ready for everything. Yun nga ang laging kong sinasabi, paghandaan natin yung (That’s what I am always saying, let’s prepare for) worst case scenario,” Sotto said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte will announce quarantine classification for Metro Manila on Friday. 

“We expect the President to make the announcement on Friday, unless he gives authorization to announce it earlier,” Roque said.

“It is just down to two scenarios: ECQ or MECQ. This is our third ECQ in Metro Manila, and we have seen before that COVID-19 cases do not immediately go down right after ECQ. The cycle of of transmission is 14 days,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the IATF is choosing between the extension of ECQ and shift to MECQ for NCR.

Año said the IATF will have a meeting on Thursday to discuss the next quarantine classifications of various areas.

According to him, no funds are available right now for the cash assistance for individuals who will be affected in case the ECQ is extended.

On Wednesday, the Metro Manila Council, composed of 17 NCR mayors, said it was leaving it up to the IATF to decide on the quarantine classification in the region for the rest of August.

Metro Manila was placed under ECQ from August 6 to 20 in light of the transmission of the Delta coronavirus variant in the country. — RSJ, GMA News