15-day ECQ extension in NCR, other areas 'necessary, prudent' —senators

The 15-day extension of the enhanced community quarantine over Metro Manila and other high-risk areas in the country gained the support of several senators on Friday.

"[It] was expected. We will eventually have to allow people to get back to work little by little," Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said in a message to reporters, as he urged the government to prepare for mass testing, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Recto also urged the government to invest more in the health care sector and provide interest-free loans and subsidies to businesses.

Senator Panfilo Lacson also agreed that the extension of the ECQ until May 15 was imperative to sustain social distancing.

"Regardless of some missteps and shortcomings of some government agencies, it cannot be denied that ECQ has contributed its share in minimizing the spread of the virus. That said, an extension is necessary in highly infected areas as identified by the President," he said.

"Unfortunately, the virus dictates when to end the lockdown, not the other way around," he added.

Senator Sonny Angara said President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to extend the confinement measures in key areas was right.

"The decision was based on consultations with several experts and department heads based on the data on cases as well as the experience of other countries. Countries which relaxed their quarantines too early saw early gains being erased by virus outbreaks," he said.

Angara added that he hopes the local government units will be oriented enough, before the month ends, about the rules of the general community quarantine, which will be implemented in other parts of the country.

"Otherwise, baka happy-happy ulit and magkahawaan. Important to remember that we are only as strong as our weakest links," he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian likewise supports the extension as he acknowledges that the country still needs more time to boost its testing capacity for better detection of COVID-19.

"Lifting it prematurely, our efforts might go to waste and I think this is the most conservative and the most prudent decision," he said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Meanwhile, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said the extension was reasonable and understandable.

He said the stakeholders should maximize the said time to prepare and open COVID-19 facilities to complement the hospitals and make sure that there is enough supply of medicines and protective gear in stock.

Pimentel said government leaders must start studying how to "open" a Filipino society in a post-pandemic set-up.

Senator Joel Villanueva also welcomed the introduction of relaxed ECQ in areas that have low risks of having an outbreak.

"There is no reason to limit the movements in these areas when the risk of infection is low," he said.

On the other hand, beefed up precautionary and relief efforts must be done in areas where transmission of COVID-19 is high, Villanueva added.

"The best approach is to quarantine to reduce the risk of spread and flatten the curve. We have to remember that these measures are necessary to reduce the stress in our healthcare system," he said.

"'Yung disease surveillance should be intensified in these high-risk areas, and government assistance to residents affected by the ECQ must be extended without delay for them to meet their basic necessities," he added. --KBK, GMA News