Metro Manila mayors want return to GCQ: report

August 17, 2020

Nine of the 17 mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) want the metropolis to return to general community quarantine from the prevailing modified enhanced community quarantine as it grapples with the coronavirus disease  (COVID-19).

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco told dzBB Monday that one of the concerns of the mayors is to add more public transport so people can still work.

Tiangco did not give details of Sunday's meeting, chaired by Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

President Rodrigo Duterte will announce Monday night if Metro Manila and four other provinces will remain under MECQ.

Tiangco, who said he wants MECQ to stay for two weeks, said that if the quarantine restriction are eased quickly, there is a chance the gains will dissipate.

''If someone gets sick, his office will have to close as contract tracing will be done,'' said Tiangco.

The National Capital Region has been topping the list of areas  which report daily new COVID-19 cases. On Sunday, total cases reached 161 253 after 3,420 new cases were announced by the Department of Health. DMS