Malacañang rejects the possibility of another extension of the enhanced community quarantine.
The so-called NCR Plus Bubble which includes Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal is under the strictest form of lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases.
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Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told CNN Philippines that an extended ECQ is far-fetched given that Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado already said that there will no more budget for additional aid to affected families.
The current aid is worth P1,000 per individual, with a maximum of P4,000 per low-income family.
“Considering the statement of Secretary Avisado and that Congress is in recess so we will have to request for a special session for a supplemental budget, I don’t think we will have an ECQ for a third week,” Roque said on CNN Philippines.
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“The model that the DOH is looking at is two weeks of ECQ and another week of MECQ (modified ECQ),” he added.
The ECQ is extended until April 11 as cases of COVID-19 continue to soar.
“We expect to reduce the COVID-19 cases by 4,000 a day by May 15,” he added. (TDT)
