Shift to MECQ not a sign of government failure — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to reimpose the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces is not an admission of the government’s alleged failure to address the COVID-19 crisis, Malacañang said Monday.

In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the shift to MECQ was a step in the right direction.

“Alam niyo po, habang mababa po ang mga namamatay, tama po ang ginagawa natin,” he said.

Asked if the decision to revert to stricter quarantine was a sign of failing response to the pandemic, Roque replied: “Hindi po. In fact, kung titignan ninyo ang datos, ‘yung case doubling rate natin ay almost nine days at hindi po ‘yan nagka-qualify for MECQ.”

Duterte on Sunday placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal back to MECQ from general community quarantine for 15 days effective Tuesday, August 4.

Duterte’s decision came after the appeal of exhausted medical frontliners for stricter lockdown to "recalibrate strategies" against COVID-19 and the number of cases in the country surged past 103,000.

During this period, work and quarantine passes will be strictly implemented to minimize outdoor activities.

The public must also strictly follow minimum health standards such as mask wearing, observance of social distancing and frequent hand washing.

The local government units were directed to intensify the localized lockdown strategy and the implementation of Oplan Kalinga.

Under Oplan Kalinga, local health officials go house-to-house, searching for mild and asymptomatic cases who will later be transferred to isolation facilities. — RSJ, GMA News