PNP, DILG prepare for pilot implementation of granular lockdown

The Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have started preparing for the pilot implementation of granular lockdowns and the alert level system in Metro Manila.

“May tatlong area lamang po na aming binalangkas kagabi at tapos na po. Papaaprubahan na po sa Lunes para meron na tayong kabuuang guidelines,” Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said.

(Guidelines for only three areas were drafted and finished last night. These will be presented for approval on Monday so we can have guidelines.) 

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar has also ordered the agency to coordinate with local government units before September 16.

Areas that will be placed under granular lockdown will be advised 24 hours before the implementation to give them time to prepare.

Meanwhile, the national government will also help in the distribution of aid to affected residents, but there will no longer be financial assistance.

Only one alert level will be implemented in Metro Manila during the two-week pilot implementation.

According to Densing, the alert level will not be solely based on the number of cases within the city.

“Hindi po limitado sa cases no ang mga pamantayan ng DOH. Based sa kanilang summary is una, iko-consider talaga ang healthcare utilization rate. Kailangan mas mababa sa 70%,” he said.

(The number of cases will not be the only factor to be considered by the Department of Health. Also to be considered is the healthcare utilization rate, which should be below 70%.)

“Pagbabasihan din ‘yung pagbaba o pagtaas ng numero ng mga cases at ‘yung ADAR,” he added.

(The increase or decrease in the number of [COVID-19] cases and the daily attack average rate [of the coronavirus] will be considered.) —Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM/KG, GMA News