IATF urges public to support whatever decision to be reached regarding ECQ

April 6, 2020

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases urged on Monday the public to support whatever final decision would be reached by President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, including Metro Manila.

In a virtual press briefing, IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles admitted that coming out with a decision on the ECQ would not be easy.

"We have to make a decision and we have to make it as soon as possible. But it will not be an easy decision...it's very, very difficult only because of so many factors that need to be looked into - the welfare of the people, the health, economics, social, security, all of them, medical," he explained.

Nograles said the government appreciates all recommendations from different sectors, such as the businessmen and the academe.

He said the IATF has set the parameters in deciding on whether to lift, extend or expand the ECQ, which is set to expire by midnight of April 13.

"May we appeal: Whatever will be the decision of the IATF, whatever will be the final decision of President Duterte, let us support it, because we're not just going to get our decision somewhere. This will be a product of thorough study of the the experts," Nograles explained.

The IATF has formed two technical working groups, one led by the Department of Health, the other headed by the National Economic and Development Authority, to come up with recommendation regarding the ECQ.

Duterte declared a lockdown in Luzon to restrict movement of the people to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Some lawmakers and businessmen have suggested to further extend the lockdown. Celerina Monte/DMS