President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce tonight (May 13) during his public address the new quarantine classifications of some areas in the country, his spokesperson said.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the classification will cover areas currently placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 14.
“Mayroon na po tayong formula diyan, eksperto na tayo lahat diyan – daily attack rate, two-week average attack rate, at saka health care utilization rate,” Roque said.
The National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Abra, Ifugao, Santiago City, and Quirino were placed under MECQ early this month. Zamboanga City was added to the list on May 6, while Cagayan, Apayao, and Benguet were added on May 10.
“Talaga naman pong napababa natin ang mga kaso. Napababa po natin ang r-naught. Ang sinisiguro lang natin kung paano natin masu-sustain itong ating mga gains,” he said.
“R naught,” written as ‘R0’, is a mathematical term that indicates how contagious an infectious disease is.
“So, needless to say, ang rekomendasyon po ay sang-ayon sa ating overall istratehiya na dahan-dahan ang pagbubukas ng ekonomiya,” Roque added.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Benhur Abalos said they already have a recommendation for the next status of NCR.
“Rest assured that the decision and recommendation reached upon by the Metro Manila mayors will be most beneficial to the residents of the National Capital Region, putting utmost importance to a balance between health and safety of the public and on the economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Roque said other matters may also be discussed by select cabinet members during the President’s public address, such as travel bans and other measures against the spread of COVID-19. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-jlo#
