Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque believes the MECQ will only last for two weeks, unlike the previous quarantine measures that were extended for a number of times.
“Dalawang bagay po ang ating nais makamit sa ating pag-MECQ. Unang-una na nga, para pagbigyan ang kahilingan ng ating frontliners na timeout. At pangalawa, para po mag-regroup at magpaigting pa ng ating istratehiya laban sa COVID-19 (There are two things we want to achieve in implementing MECQ: First, to grant the timeout requested by the frontliners. And second, to regroup and improve our strategy against COVID-19),” Sec. Roque explained.
“Tatapatin ko po kayo, hindi na po kaya ng ekonomiya ang mas matagalan pang lockdown (I will be honest with you, our economy can no longer take an extended ockdown),” he added.
Roque reiterated President Duterte’s previous statement that the government is short of funds and cannot provide another tranche of assistance yet, more so with the absence of law for it.
However, he clarified it is not the time to sell government properties.
“Ang pangako naman ng Presidente, maski ubos na ang budget, kaya naman na unang una, gagamitin natin ‘yung mga salapi na mauutang natin… Pero sa ngayon naman po, hindi pa po kinakailangan, dahil tayo naman po ay nagma-manage as of now (The President promised that even if we run out of budget, we can first use our loans. But for now, there is no need since we can manage as of now).
Malacañang assured it will utilize the two weeks of MECQ to improve government response on the crisis amid the economic challenges it is posing.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
