The government is hoping that the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will not be extended beyond April 11.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the government is currently strengthening its detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate (PDITR) strategy to respond to the ongoing situation.
“Pupuwede lang tayong mag-shift sa lower na MECQ ‘pag nakita natin na nagkakaroon ng bunga o resulta iyong ating pinaigting na PDITR [We can shift to M (modified) ECQ if we see the effect of improved PDITR],” Roque said.
Vergeire likewise added that factors including healthcare utilization, number of COVID-19 cases, and the PDITR strategy, especially at the local level, will be considered in the situation assessment this week.
Vergeire also cited the recommendation of experts to gradually shift quarantine classifications instead of jumping immediately to general community quarantine (GCQ).
Roque said that contrary to some allegations, the government has a comprehensive system in responding to the surge and added that a change in leadership amid the battle against the pandemic is not a good move.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has directed concerned authorities to speed up the distribution of the new set of assistance amounting to P22.9 billion or P1,000 per head, or up to P4,000 per family, to those affected by the lockdown.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) disclosed at today’s Laging Handa public briefing that it is targeting to begin the distribution on Tuesday (April 6). The target completion is within 15 days after the receipt of the notice of cash allocation and within 30 days if in kind.
DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said they are prepared to assist local government units on the matter together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), and the Philippine National Police (PNP). – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-jlo
