The National Capital Region (NCR) may be placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) next month if more people properly observe minimum health standards.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya posed the challenge to “have the entire month of September to make this happen, to make that recommendation…that we can now go to MGCQ).”
The DILG has already ordered local governments through Memorandum Circular 2020-116 to establish Disiplina Brigades to improve the behavior of Filipinos in the new normal setting by reminding them of the set standards.
The memo was issued also amid the allegations of militaristic approach by some LGUs in enforcing guidelines.
Based on the study of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the compliance of Filipinos with the minimum health standard is only at 50 percent. Many people still do not follow the proper wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and disinfection. To reach the MGCQ classification, the compliance rate must increase to 80 percent.
Contact tracing czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized that imposing sanctions on ordinary citizens is not always effective. Improvement in public discipline will not be easily achieved within a single month but it is possible through the help of strong governance.
“It’s never a hopeless case. Mayroon tayong experience na kahit napaka pasaway ng tao kung we work together to change someone’s behavior and at the same time provide reward o punishment, then magiging successful tayo (We had an experience that even the most stubborn person, if we work together to change someone’s behavior and provide reward or punishment, we can be successful). Just give us time,” Magalong explained. – Report from Naomi Tiburcio
