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HEAD OF DILG. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año says the government’s coronavirus task force will issue new guidelines for low-risk regions. File photo of Darren Langit / Rappler
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The government coronavirus task force changed its mind overnight about lifting quarantine measures in 8 “low risk” regions, saying these areas would be placed in modified general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning May 16, in response to the clamor of governors and mayors.
“Wala na po tayong area in Buong Pilipinas na hindi under ng community quarantine. Iba-iba lang po ang level (There will be no area in the Philippines that is not under community quarantine. There will only be different levels), “Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said at a briefing on Wednesday, May 13.
On Tuesday, May 12, the Interinstitutional Working Group (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases said that the GCQ will rise in 37 provinces and 11 cities with the fewest number of coronavirus cases to make way for “strict observance of minimum standards of health “.
Year said the task force changed its mind after receiving messages from local chief executives across the country appealing the decision. He said they wanted to retain some powers to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease in their localities.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng amendment upang ang provinces na ito in 8 regions yes malalagay sila sa Modified GCQ (we will issue an amendment to put these provinces in 8 regions under a modified GCQ), “said Year. (LEA: Metro Manila, Cebu City, Laguna under ‘modified’ ECQ until May 31)
These areas are the Ilocos, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regions.
Year said the task force will issue guidelines after its meeting scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
‘Proceed with caution’
Local executives who appealed the task force’s decision included Bukidnon Governor José María Zubiri and Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III.
The Bukidnon provincial government issued a resolution “sincerely appealing to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the selection committee of the Interinstitutional Working Group (IATF) to retain and extend the general status of community quarantine” in the province.
The province in northern Mindanao particularly wanted to keep quarantine checkpoints at its limits, Zubiri said.
Espino also wrote to the government working group to urge the national government to bring the province in northern Luzon under GCQ.
Espino said the province was still experiencing an increase in the number of suspected cases.
“We humbly believe that we should proceed with caution on our way to the” new normal, “he said. – with reports by Bobby Lagsa / Rappler.com
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