Majority of NCR mayors favor MGCQ by March —Tiangco

Majority of the mayors in Metro Manila on Wednesday night voted in favor of putting the region under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in March, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said Thursday.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Tiangco said nine mayors voted for MGCQ, the loosest quarantine classification, while eight voted for general community quarantine (GCQ) during the meeting on Wednesday night.

"Ang total ng GCQ is eight, ang total ng MGCQ is nine," he said.

Tiangco said the mayors chose between MGCQ and GCQ but both classifications will allow only people aged 15 to 65 years to go outside their homes.

The result of the voting will be the official position of the Metro Manila Council that will be submitted to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), which will then make the recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte for his consideration. 

Tiangco said the voting took place after the mayors listened to the explanation of economic managers on the importance of implementing MGCQ in boosting the country's economy that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After the explanation and the questions of the mayors kagabi, doon na nagbotohan," he said.

Also present during the meeting were officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua had earlier said the proposal to place the entire Philippines under MGCQ is seen to reduce hunger in areas still under stringent lockdowns.

On Monday, NEDA proposed placing the country under MGCQ starting March 1 to balance the COVID-19 response and the need of Filipinos to start earning and spending.

The other proposals that the NEDA suggested and that the IATF approved for Duterte's consideration included:

• increasing the capacity allowed in public transport from 50% to 75%;
• complimenting public transport with active transport via bike lanes;
• allowing more provincial buses to operate;
• expanding the age groups allowed to leave their homes from 15 to 65, to five to 70; and
• resuming the pilot-testing of face-to-face classes.

 --KBK, GMA News