Galvez says MECQ not a sustainable strategy vs. COVID-19

For chief implementer of the government's response against COVID-19 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the enforcement of modified enhanced community quarantine is not a sustainable strategy against COVID-19.

At a Palace briefing, Galvez was asked if the two-week implementation of the MECQ in Metro Manila and other high risk provinces was effective in curbing the spread of the virus.

"Nakita po namin na MECQ is not a sustainable strategy... Ang way forward talaga po ay 'yung granular implementation ng lockdown kasi po pag nag-MECQ tayo, ang laki po ng collateral sa livelihood po ng mga tao natin," Galvez said.

"So, ang nakikita po natin, if we will empower LGUs dahil sila naman po ang pinakaleader, kung sila po ang mamumuno, nakikita po natin na 'yung mga areas na dapat i-lock down, mas madali po 'yung mga response at interventions. 'Yung way forward po natin is 'yung localization ng implementation ng national action plan," he added.

From August 4 to 18, the National Capital Region and the provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Laguna and Bulacan were placed under MECQ after health workers requested for a two-week stricter quarantine so that they could rest and recalibrate strategies against the virus.

Experts from the University of the Philippines had called on the government to extend the MECQ for 15 more days to prevent an “uncontrolled” spike in the number of infections.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to place the above-mentioned areas back under general community quarantine. The new directive will be in effect starting August 19 to August 31. — RSJ, GMA News