DTI chief Lopez: MGCQ won’t mean eased health protocols

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Thursday maintained the proposed shift to a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in more parts of the country would not mean lax implementation of health protocols.

"Narining niyo siguro napalutang natin 'yung pag-move sa modified GCQ. When we proposed that, hindi po ibig sabhin ng modified GCQ na hindi na tayo mag-iingat, tatanggalin na natin ang health protocol. On the contrary, we'll be more strict, mayroon na tayong health protocol," Lopez said during a meeting of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Cooperatives.

Over six months into the battle against the pandemic, Lopez said he believes the Philippines is learning how to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The entire country is already under MGCQ except for Metro Manila, Bacolod, Tacloban, Bulacan, and Batangas which are under a general community quarantine (GCQ); and Iligan which is under a stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until September 30.

Earlier this week, Lopez said he supports placing Metro Manila and other areas under MGCQ in October, provided that health protocols would be still followed.

Under MGCQ, tourism and mass transportation are allowed to open, while 50% of the capacity of venues may be filled up for public gatherings like cinemas, concerts, sporting events, and religious activities. 

“Maaari po natin i-push ang mas magaan na community quarantine, subalit ang importante po ay may self-discipline at self-regulation ang buong bayan para talagang bumaba pa rin ang transmission kahit modified GCQ, that will allow us to open more sectors in the economy,” Lopez said.

But an alliance of healthcare workers on Wednesday said shifting Metro Manila from 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.

Of the over 294,000 COVID-19 cases in the country, 156,889 were recorded in Metro Manila.

Data from the Department of Health as of September 23 showed that 13,315 new infections were recorded in the capital region in the last 14 days. — RSJ, GMA News