Drilon backs localized COVID-19 lockdowns to save economy

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday supported calls to implement localized lockdowns in the country in a bid to revive the economy while reducing the risk of the further spread of COVID-19.

"I support localized lockdowns. I support calls to ease restrictions in the National Capital Region. As we have seen for the past four months, the shotgun approach did little to contain the virus. If anything, the strategy only crippled our economy and left thousands of Filipinos jobless," Drilon said in a statement.

The lawmaker said he sees this as a "more rational" approach in dealing with the pandemic without further putting businesses in peril.

Further, Drilon said the national government should support the laudable initiatives of some local government units in containing the virus.

According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, 112 areas nationwide are implementing localized lockdowns to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, as of June 26.

Año considers targeted restriction as the "best approach" in arresting the growth of COVID-19 cases.

The National Capital Region, now under a general community quarantine, remains to be the top region in the country, in terms of the number of COVID-19 infections. More than 22,000 cases have been detected here.

The mayors in the region will intensify the enforcement of COVID-19 health protocols with stiffer penalties, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

As of July 12, the Philippines recorded a total of 56,259 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,534 deaths and 16,046 recoveries.—AOL, GMA News