Malacaῆang on Monday said the country cannot go under another state of nationwide lockdown despite the reported spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque ensured the healthcare capacity of the country is still manageable and an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or a modified ECQ is not yet necessary.
“For the month of March, I don’t think it’s called for… Sabihin na natin dumami ang kaso, pero nakikita naman natin, handa po tayong gamutin ‘yung mga seryosong magkakasakit (We may say cases are rising but we can see our readiness to attend to serious cases),” he pointed out.
“Sa totoo lang po, hindi na po natin kayang mag-lockdown ang ating ekonomiya. Napakarami na pong nagugutom (To be honest, our economy cannot afford another lockdown. Many people are getting hungry),” he added.
According to former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit, the current surge is caused by a “drop in compliance” which can be addressed and “an increase in the mobility.”
“As far as an immediate ECQ, I don’t want to say we should do it, kasi drastic ‘yan (because that is drastic),” Dayrit said.
Malacaῆang has already ordered local government units and other agencies to intensify contact tracing efforts and strengthen the implementation of minimum public health standards and localized lockdowns.
Sec. Roque revealed that the Philippines has been “excellent” in its response in managing the spread of COVID-19.
“Nakontrol po natin ang pagkalat ng sakit, lalong-lalo na kung ikukumpara tayo sa mas mayayaman at mga bansang may modernong ospital (We controlled the spread of the disease, more so if compared to richer countries with modern hospitals),” he elucidated.
“May mga area na talagang dapat paigtingin pa natin at ginagawa naman po natin lalong-lalo na iyong sa tracing (There are areas that need improvement which we are already doing, especially tracing),” he added.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
