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The Metro Manila Council (MMC), made up of 17 mayors from the National Capital Region (NCR), recommended extending the general community quarantine (GCQ) status until December 31 this year, said an Authority official. Metropolitan Development Board of Manila (MMDA). Monday.
MMDA General Manager José Arturo García said mayors are pushing for the extension of GCQ even as cases in the NCR have dropped.
“We would stay at GCQ until December 31, the entire NCR,” Garcia told reporters at a virtual press conference on Monday.
Metro Manila is currently under GCQ until October 31.
“As the number of Covid-19 cases decreases, we gradually open businesses,” Garcia said.
Garcia said mayors have recommended the following actions to the Interagency Working Group on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) at the NCR while under GCQ:
1. Shorten the curfew hours from 12 at night to 4 in the morning, except in the city of Navotas, where the curfew hours will remain from 8 at night to 5 in the morning;
2. Allowing NCR residents ages 18-65 to leave their residences in Metro Manila;
3. Increase the capacity of churches to 30 percent.
“These three main recommendations depend on the approval of the IATF,” Garcia said.
Garcia said that MMDA President Danilo Lim chaired the MMC mayors meeting on Sunday night. The MMC is the governing and regulatory body of the MMDA.
He said the adjustment in the age allowed for leaving residences in Metro Manila is aimed at helping boost the economy as more businesses open.
However, García appealed to the public to avoid leisure travel and follow health and safety protocols against Covid-19, as the government has been able to control the transmission of the virus in the NCR.
Meanwhile, more jeepney routes will be opened in the coming days amid growing demand for public transportation in Metro Manila, according to suggestions from Metro Manila mayors in another meeting with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and the President of the Martin Delgra Land Transport Franchise and Regulatory Board.
