Economy should not be sole consideration for NCR shift to MGCQ —healthcare alliance

An alliance of healthcare workers on Wednesday said shifting Metro Manila from general community quarantine (GCQ) to the less restrictive modified GCQ amid the COVID-19 pandemic should also be based on the readiness to face the virus and not just on economic factors.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Dr. Antonio Dans, convenor of Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19, said jumpstarting the economy is not enough reason for such a shift.

"Tingin namin hindi sapat na dahilan yung hindi na kaya ng ekonomiya kasi pag yun ang dahilan ay para na tayong sumuko. Ika nga, aanhin ang kabuhayan kung wala na ang buhay," he said.

On Monday, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Metro Manila could be placed under MGCQ after September 30 as this would "allow us to open more sectors in the economy."

But according to Dans, the question is not about the economy but the country's capability to address the pandemic. "Ang tanong: handa na ba tayong humarap sa virus?" he said.

The group had earlier gave several proposals to the government in addressing COVID-19, among them local government hotlines for possible cases, sufficient transportation for workers, workplace safety, and health technology assessment.

Dans said even internet connection is vital in addressing the pandemic.

"Yung internet, napakalaking role niyan. Unang-una yung ating data, di ba huli-huli? Parang tatlong linggo bago makumpleto kung ilan ba ang namatay today kasi manual ang ating data transmission," he said.

He also noted that contact tracing remains manual in the Philippines unlike in other countries where it is automated.

"Yung mga app, yung mga computerized program to do that, kelangan niyan ng magandang internet connection," Dans pointed out. 

The Philippines has 291,789 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, September 22. Of this number,  5,049 died while 230,643 recovered.

Metro Manila still logged the highest number of new infections at 583, followed by Cavite with 102, Iloilo with 97, Rizal with 67, and Cebu with 57. —KBK, GMA News