President Rodrigo Duterte is set to address anew the public tonight when he will announce the fate of the nationwide community quarantine for the month of July.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday said the IATF has addressed the appeals of some local government units including Cebu province, Bulacan, and Cagayan regarding the matter.
“Mas marami po ang gustong mas higpitan, parang tatlo ‘yung mas gusto higpitan, isa po ‘yung downgrading (More (LGUs) want to tighten, like three of them want to tighten measures, one to downgrade),” Roque added.
As for Cebu City, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu disclosed his intent to prolong the ECQ in the area.
“Combination doon sa dalawa. ECQ then after na medyo mag-die down na iyong sudden increase of cases, ma-maintain pa rin iyong lockdown doon sa medyo mataas pa rin na mga barangay (Combination of the two. ECQ then after the sudden rise in cases dies down, the lockdown will remain for barangays with high cases).”
Roque pointed out some major issues that need to be addressed in the city which include harmonization of LGU, HCWs, and various sectors, the need for healthcare workers, “mobilization of the business sector,” and prioritization of the city for the SAP second tranche.
Roque also cited important points of the new IATF Resolution No. 50 such as ensuring balance between health and economy, moving up the economy of Regions 3, 4A, and NCR, and acceleration of the testing capacity by the end of July to help achieve a positivity rate of 3 percent.
The spokesperson added that “we beat the UP prediction” of 40,000 cases by the end of June.
“Let’s do it again in July, so we are winning… Ang tinitingnan natin, declining mortality, case doubling rate, at saka siyempre po, ‘yung positivity rate na patuloy pong bumababa (We are looking at declining mortality, case doubling rate, and positivity rate that continues to decline).” – Report from Mela Lesmoras
