GCQ most likely to remain in Metro Manila — Año

Most likely, the National Capital Region will remain under general community quarantine after June 15, according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday.

In a television interview, Año pointed out that the region continues to record "fresh" coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases at this time.

"Ang aking pananaw kasi although compared mo 'yung threat, kumbaga mas mababa 'yung numero kung overall pero wala pa sa downtrend eh. Patuloy pa ring may mga fresh o new cases," Año told CNN.

"If we are going to relax it now, baka madapa eh. Ibig sabihin okay na tayo pero niluwagan mo, bumalik na naman o nagkaroon ng mas maraming [cases]. Para sa akin 50/50 pero mas lamang magreremain sa GCQ," he added.

Año, however, clarified that the final decision on whether GCQ will be extended in Metro Manila would be announced on Monday. At present, government officials are still studying and discussing latest trends on COVID-19 cases.

"Sa ngayon, inaanalyze natin 'yung mga data, mayroon tayong initial na nakitang mga recommendation pero ang ginawa natin ay kinokonsulta din natin sa mga local chief executives para din makita nila kung ano 'yung kanilang recommendation din," he said.

Aside from Metro Manila, Año said the national government is also monitoring the situation in Regions II, III, IV-A and in Cebu City where there is a spike on the number of infections in the previous days.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to address the public on Monday to announce the fate of the National Capital Region and other areas still under quarantine. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News