MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on whether to extend or lift the the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon “in due time” with the current situation still far from normal.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the “emerging consensus” from medical experts, businessmen, government officials, and others is that it is still premature to lift the declaration.
“Lifting the quarantine as scheduled on April 12 might wipe out the gains we have so far achieved in containing the virus,” Panelo said. “The President is all ears and eyes on this unfolding reality and expert opinions.”
“He is evaluating the best option to take that will effectively ensure the success of our war against this wily and faceless global enemy. He will make his decision in due time,” he added.
Panelo has also urged the Filipinos to do their part in helping reduce the transmission of the highly-infectious disease.
“In the meantime, we call on our countrymen to be steadfast in our commitment to take care of each other in this imminent threat to our nation’s survival,” the Palace spokesperson said.
Panelo’s statement came after Peace Adviser and National Task Force (NTF) Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the government is currently studying whether to extend the quarantine for another 15 to 20 days.
“Ang nakikita ko magdedecide ang Presidente between April 12 and April 14. Ihahanda pa rin natin ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Galvez said in an interview with DZMM on Monday.
Galvez, also the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said he supports the extension of the ECQ since the curve on cases of the coronavirus disease has not been flattened yet. He noted that deaths continue to increase while the number of recoveries is still low.
“Even health experts I have spoken with agree that the ECQ should be extended to sustain the gains it has brought in the government’s drive against the pandemic,” Galvez said.
As of Monday afternoon, the Department of Health has reported 168 new cases of Covid-19 infection, bringing the country’s total to 3,414 and eight new deaths bringing the total to 152./PN
