Palace: Duterte says no nationwide MGCQ before COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The entire country will not be placed under the least stringent modified general community quarantine before COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out, Malacanang said on Monday night.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte gave more premium to public health and safety over the economy.

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gave his directive to the Cabinet that the Philippines would not be placed under modified general community quarantine unless there is a rollout of vaccines," Roque said.

"The Chief Executive recognizes the importance of re-opening the economy and its impact on people's livelihoods. However, the President gives higher premium to public health and safety," he added.

Roque said Duterte wanted vaccination against COVID-19 to start at "the soonest possible time in order to ease the community quarantine."

Senator Bong Go, Duterte's former special assistant, earlier said Duterte believed that MGCQ was not in the best interest of the country.

"No vaccine rollout, no MGCQ muna -PRRD," Go said in a message to reporters.

Go said the President also told Education Secretary Leonor Briones that he is not ready to allow the resumption of face to face classes.

Duterte was quoted as saying that he cannot, in his conscience, "allow these things to happen."

The President also expressed confidence that the Filipino people and the economic managers will understand the situation, Go said.

The National Economic Development Authority has proposed placing the entire Philippines under the MGCQ starting March 1 supposedly to balance the country's response to stop the spread of COVID-19 and the need of Filipinos to start earning and spending.

However, Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research Team said the government could be taking a costly risk if the entire Philippines would be  placed under MGCQ.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco earlier said that majority of the mayors in Metro Manila are in favor of putting the region under MGCQ next month.

Tiangco said nine mayors voted for MGCQ, while eight voted for GCQ during their meeting last Wednesday.

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 the President for his consideration.

The League of Provinces of the Philippines has likewise said it is in favor of placing the entire country under MGCQ in March provided that governors are authorized to impose lockdowns or change their quarantine status if the need arises.—AOL/NB, GMA News