Senators weigh in on possible extension of enhanced community quarantine

Senators weighed in Friday on the possible extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) beyond April 13.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said, after a review and consultation, he is in favor  of extending the current enhanced community quarantine to April 30.

“We are only beginning to see data of symptoms post-quarantine. And I see some data that shows it is effective. But too early to tell. An extra two weeks would help," Drilon said in a message to reporters.

He, however, added that food supply and movement of essential goods and services must be ensured during those two additional weeks.

"We can consider relaxing ECQ during May 1 to May 30. Still no travel to and from Luzon. Still no malls, churches, mass gatherings," Drilon said.

Some establishments and transport modes could also be opened next month to help people regain income, he added.

More retail and consumer services could resume by June, the lawmaker suggested.

Senator Joel Villanueva is also in favor of the possible extension of the strict protocol.

"The increasing incidence of COVID positive individuals tells us that the pandemic is not yet over. I am in favor of extending the quarantine," Villanueva said in a separate message.

"At the same time, we have to consult our supply chain experts as we need to probably exempt some sectors in this lockdown, especially the food, manufacturing and delivery sector," he added.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said it would be best to relax the enhanced community quarantine if the infection rate of the virus is proven to have decreased.

"Determine from public health scientist when the infection rate is manageable or less than one. Only then can you transition to relaxing ECQ. How long? Depends on how fast government does its work and be ahead of the virus," he said.

He added that mass testing and treatment of COVID-19 patients would be significant factors.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian likewise shared the same view and pointed out that the implementation of the month-long quarantine would be wasted without mass testing.

"With the announcement of the Chief Implementer, [retired] General Galvez, that mass testing can only be conducted on April 14, which is still 11 days from now, we are left with no other choice but to extend the ECQ by at least two weeks," he said.

"Mass testing of persons under monitoring and persons under investigation is the only way to determine if we are winning the war or not. Without mass testing, we are totally blind," he added.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said an extension is not advisable as this would hurt the country's economy.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque, four days ago, said it was too early to say if the implementation of the Luzon-wide quarantine should be prolonged.

Striking a balance

Other senators found it challenging to give a definite advice on whether to extend or lift the enhanced community quarantine.

"Have to study it well. Balance safety and economy. I agree with the thinking, 'Life first, economy later,'" Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in a message to reporters.

He acknowledged that lifting strict protocols should not be done in a whim.

"That's difficult to do. We have to play it by ear," Sotto said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson shared the same stand.

"It's a most difficult decision to strike a balance between flattening the curve of COVID-19 and the looming economic recession due to inactivity," he said.

"It is better left to those who have unlimited access to all the data to decide which is the best course of action to take moving forward," he added.

Nevertheless, Lacson said the Congress could help in the policy direction if it is armed with enough data.

He said authorities should come up with a decision "soon enough to prepare but not too late to make things worse."

Senator Francis Tolentino also believes the decision on lifting or extending the enhanced community quarantine should be backed by "empirical basis," with equal considerations for public health and economy.

"I leave that decision to the President, however, we should have an economic stimulus law to resuscitate the economy in the long term which is likewise a job of Congress," he added.

The sustained community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 prompted the national government to place Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine.

The public were urged to stay home but some residents are also complaining that they are already running out of food supplies due to disrupted income sources and insufficient government aid.

“Tubig na lang po para mabusog kami. Para naman medyo tumagal-tagal ang aming buhay sa quarantine ngayon,” a 65-year-old woman in Laguna said.

"Hindi naman po kami mamamatay sa COVID e. Mamamatay kami sa gutom," another resident added.—AOL, GMA News