Presidential and IATF Spokesperson Harry Roque assured that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s decision tonight on the new quarantine measures for Metro Manila and its suburbs is for the welfare of all.
Roque emphasized that the factors being considered for the quarantine classification still include case doubling rate, clusters of COVID-19 cases, critical care capacity, economic impact, and the Metro Manila Council’s (MMC) recommendation
“Ang IATF naman po palagi pong kinokonsulta lalong-lalo na ang Metro Manila mayors… Perhaps I can confirm na ang rekomendasyon din ng mga mayor ay GCQ. (The IATF always consults Metro Manila mayors… Perhaps I can confirm that the recommendation of the mayors is also GCQ),” Roque said.
“So far po, hindi naman po lumalala ang ating case doubling rate. At dahil nga po today, August 17, nag-inaugurate tayo ng 250-bed capacity diyan sa East Avenue Medical Center that will cater exclusively COVID-19 patients, naibsan po ang ating critical care capacity (So far, our case doubling rate has not worsened. And since we inaugurated today the 250-bed capacity in East Avenue Medical Center that will cater exclusively to COVID-19 patients, our critical care capacity has eased off),” he added.
The meeting of President Duterte with the IATF this evening will be conducted through video conferencing after DILG Secretary Eduardo Aῆo tested positive anew for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Roque clarified that President Duterte is in good health and undergoes regular PCR testing. He also denied reports that the latter left the Philippines.
“He’s is (in) perpetual isolation, in the sense that the PSG has done a very good job in making sure that no one comes close to the President… Fake news po ‘yung pag-alis ng Pilipinas ng ating Presidente. Nananatili po siya sa Davao. (The President leaving the Philippines is fake news. He is staying in Davao),” Roque elucidated. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
