Duterte weighing best option for ECQ – Palace

April 5, 2020

Malacanang on Sunday said President Rodrigo Duterte is evaluating the best option on whether to lift or extend the on-going enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, including Metro Manila, to halt the spread of coronavirus disease.

“There is an emerging consensus coming from medical experts, businessmen, government officials and other well-meaning individuals that an extension of two weeks for the enhanced community quarantine or lockdown is necessary as lifting it could be premature as it might wipe out the gains we have so far achieved in containing the virus,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“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 added.

Panelo said Duterte will make his decision in due time.

“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,” he said.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will have a meeting tomorrow to discuss what will be their recommendation for Duterte.

Duterte implemented the ECQ as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

As of Sunday, the Department of Health has recorded 3,246 confirmed COVID-19 patients with 152 deaths and 64 recoveries. Ella Dionisio/DMS