Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda proposed Monday a temporary weeklong lockdown in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the cancellation of classes due to the possible increase of COVID-19 cases.
The congressman said the continued spread of COVID-19 would be a stronger cause for setback in the economy, like the cases of China, Italy, and South Korea. He added that the losses in the country’s economy can still be recovered.
“Kasi nandito yung Virus eh (The virus is here). You call it a lockdown, but to my mind, it’s really containing the potential for mass transmission,” Salceda said.
The proposed lockdown is also accompanied by the suggested temporary closure of North and South Luzon Expressways, domestic flights, and railways.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is still early to place Metro Manila on lockdown.
“Well, the protocol, in fact, included that. But it might (be) premature to do it at this point; so we will have to wait until evidence of sustained community transmission is presented, and that will trigger the community lockdown or community quarantine which is one of the interventions as reflected in our protocol,” DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III said.
Although the lockdown has not yet been implemented, Malacañang said it is open to measures to stop the spread of the virus in Metro Manila such as the “work from home” policy in some government agencies.
“Everything that will help contain the virus, the government will certainly adopt. Everything is possible, everything that will successfully restrain the spread of this virus to the communities,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
