TWO days before the prevailing modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila expires, mayors from the National Capital Region (NCR) have thought of something more like a word salad, re-introducing the existing lockdown level to “Flexible MECQ” for President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval.
In an early morning television interview, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said that the Metro Manila mayors, in a meeting held last Tuesday, have agreed to recommend the implementation of what they called a “Flexible MECQ,” which will give way for more businesses to operate in the event that Duterte decides to keep the region under MECQ status.
“Ang napagkasunduan ng mga alkalde ay parang flexible MECQ. Ang tawag lang nito MECQ with additional business openings,” Abalos said.
Aside from an expanded business, the “Flexible MECQ” would include shorter curfew hours – from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
“Starting po sa May 1, adjusted na po ang curfew. Hindi na po 8 p.m., 10 p.m. na. I-igsian na po ito. From 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.,” he said.
According to the MMDA chief, among the factors that the mayors considered in coming up with the “reinvented” Flexible MECQ include the type of business that would be allowed to operate and implementation of border control.
Under the proposed “Flexible MECQ,” additional types of businesses will be allowed to operate. Among the businesses that would be allowed to operate are those involved in construction activities and others that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) would deem as appropriate.
Aside from the DTI, the list would also be reviewed by the Department of Health and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The MMDA chair also said a form of border control will also be implemented and that minimum safety protocols will remain in place.
As to the implementation of curfew hours, Abalos said this has been revised.
He underscored that the recommendation of the local chief executives will be forwarded to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), which will then submit a formal recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte for approval.
Duterte is expected to announce his decision tonight.
Abalos pointed out that the number of COVID-19 cases has gone down and the Metro Manila leaders would want to maintain the trend, even as he reiterated that they are also amenable to place NCR under MECQ for two more weeks.