In a virtual presser Tuesday, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the extension of the ECQ until April 30.
“Ito po ang rekomendasyon ng IATF kay Pangulong Duterte na tinanggap na ni Pangulong Duterte at inannounce niya po kagabi. At pagkatapos ng kaniyang announcement, vinerify po namin ulit, at ang sagot po ay ang Enhanced Community Quarantine is hereby extended until 11:59pm of April 30. Na kay Presidente po ang diskresyon na I-relax ito sa ibang lugar, at i-exempt ang ibang sektor, depende sa public health considerations at food security. Lahat po ng exemptions sa ECQ na na-announce na po dati ng IATF, tuloy pa rin po. “
(This is the recommendation of the IATF to President Duterte that he accepted and announced last night. After his announcement, we verified it again, and the answer is the Enhanced Community Quarantine is hereby extended until 11:59 p.m. of April 30. It is the discretion of the President to relax [the ECQ] in other areas and exempt sectors depending on public health considerations and food security. All the ECQ exemptions that were announced by the IATF still stands.)
According to Cab Sec. Nograles, there are two factors that are taken into consideration by the authorities. One is to know the total effect of the ECQ, and second is to strengthen the health capacity of the country.
He added that the Philippines has not reached the peak of COVID-19 since the government has been doing everything necessary to curb the spread of the virus. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
