DILG spox: NCR mayors ready for shift to Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila

Metro Manila mayors are ready to ease COVID-19 restrictions in case the National Capital Region will shift to Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 3, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya cited the downward trend of cases within the past two weeks, ramped up vaccinations, and more police deployment.

“Handang-handa ang DILG, ang ating mga mayors sa NCR…Alam na ng mga mayors ‘yung additional capacity na ibibigay natin sa mga establishment,” he said.

(The DILG and NCR mayors are very ready. The mayors already know the additional capacity that will be given to establishments.)

Malaya expressed confidence that the implementation will be successful if the NCR is placed under a more permissive alert level.

The NCR is under Alert Level 3 from October 16 until 31.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

On Saturday, Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the alert level in NCR could be lowered in November if there is a continued decline in cases and hospital admissions.

"Hopefully by November we can be able to de-escalate and open up our economy," she said. — RSJ, GMA News