The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is set to meet anew today (Sept. 30) for the new alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) to be implemented in October.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said they support the proposed level downgrade, but the adjustment will be decided by the Department of Health (DOH).
“Alam ko po na ang mga [Metro Manila] mayors ay nagsuhestiyon na na ibaba sa level 3 at suportado po natin ‘yan,” he said in his Thursday briefing.
Roque said the recent technical issues of the COVID-KAYA system on case reporting have no impact on the government’s decision on the alert level system.
Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 until the end of September, or during the pilot implementation of the new quarantine system with granular lockdowns.
Roque said the alert level system has been effective based on current COVID-19 data showing that the reproduction number or rate of transmission has declined.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Karl Chua said in the same briefing that the number of cases has declined and employment has recovered amid implementation of less restrictive granular lockdowns.
“Ang kailangan… expand the pilot at matuto po tayo sa ating experiences sa iba’t ibang lugar ng Pilipinas. At iyan sa tingin ko ‘yung ating solusyon kasi hindi talaga pwedeng bumalik sa whole country or whole region lockdown,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malacaῆang said President Rodrigo Duterte will have another public address tonight. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio/AG-rir
