Consult DOH, DILG tells provinces who want to impose enhanced community quaratine

March 19, 2020

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday advised the local government units outside Luzon to consult the Department of Health (DOH) in their areas first before implementing enhanced community quarantine.

“If they are to impose a similar lockdown talked to the DOH regional director in your area so that you can have a proper advice but the DILG is not stopping you (from implementing)… whatever is needed to be done in your area based on the advice of DOH, the DILG will support you,” Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a press briefing.

He made the statement after he was informed that Zamboanga City is eyeing on implementing the same quarantine measures in Luzon.

“If the LGU officials outside Luzon think there is a need to implement a similar action, we are just asking them to consult the DOH because their decision should be evidence-based,” he said.

Malaya said it was Health Secretary Francisco Duque III who recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the implementation of total lockdown in the entire Luzon island.

On March 16, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine until April 12 as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continues to rise.

Under the memorandum Malacanang released, enhanced community quarantine is defined as a condition where strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households, transportation shall be suspended, provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated, and the presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures shall be heightened.

Duterte said establishments providing basic needs, such as food and medicine, would be open.

And on March 17, Duterte declared a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to coronavirus disease.

Proclamation No. 929, which Duterte signed on March 16, said the declaration of state of calamity is for a period of six months," unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant."

According to DOH, as of March 19, 217 patients were confirmed to be COVID-19 positive where 17 died and eight were able to recover. Ella Dionisio/DMS