Malacañang is pleased with the Department of Health (DOH)’s report on the country’s gradual decrease in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the slow decrease in cases is part of the government’s consideration whether to shift Metro Manila to General Community Quarantine or maintain its enhanced community quarantine on May 15.
Secretary Roque has stated that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has not yet decided on the procedure on May 15. However, authorities have been thoroughly studying the next move.
“Yan po ang ninanais ng lahat na kahit paano makabalik na sa normal, makapaghanapbuhay na, pero Siyensya po ang magbibigay ng desisyon. Ang decision po ay ‘yung mabilis na pagkalap ng gamot at yung kapasidad na magbigay ng critical care sa mga magkakasakit, at yung estado ng ating ekonomiya (That’s what everyone hopes for, to somehow go back to normal, earn a living, but Science will decide. The decision is [based on] the fast procurement of medicine, the capacity to give critical care to people who will get ill, and the state of our economy.)”
Presidential Spokesperson Roque has explained that authorities have continuously submitted guidelines in areas under GCQ.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have also given their guidelines for the IATF’s approval. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
