Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice expressed belief government efforts on the implementation of enhanced community quarantine will be wasted if not extended for another 30 days.
The lawmaker cited the experiences of other countries such as China, USA, Italy, and others and how it could be alarming that the situation may worsen if the extension does not take place.
Erice explained that the number of fatalities may rise if the public continues to engage with each other and if poor communities get hit by the disease.
“Napakalaking gulo niyan dahil makikita mo na dahil sa kawalan ng pagkain, kawalan ng mga supplies ng medicines, kawalan nila ng kakayahan para magpa-ospital (It would be big trouble since it is obvious they lack food and supplies in medicine, and they do not have the capability to be hospitalized),” Erice said.
In line with his suggestion, he added the government must ensure the distribution of food supply in communities for a successful implementation of ECQ and that businesses can recover once the disease is gone.
“Mahalaga muna ngayon mag-survive. Hindi mahalaga ngayon ‘yung mga negosyo. Eh kung wala na ‘yung sakit na ‘yan eh makakabangon tayo (What’s important now is to survive. Businesses are not important now. If the disease is gone, we can recover),” he said.
Meanwhile, National Task Force on COVID-19 Chairperson and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana pointed out that they will do a day-to-day monitoring and that they still have 13 days to see what might happen.
“We have about 13 days to see what happens. Our target remains April 15 still barring any major adverse developments between now and then,” Lorenzana added.
As of now, the set end date of the enhanced community quarantine remains.
