Metro Manila mayors have voted to shift the National Capital Region or NCR to a more relaxed Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) starting March 1.
Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said that 9 mayors voted in favor of the move while 8 mayors voted against it.
“MGCQ ang nanalo sa botohan,” MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said.
Economic managers are urging President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Philippines under the more relaxed MGCQ to resuscitate the economy.
NEDA Chief Karl Chua said that the new quarantine measures can take effect starting March 1.
Chua said that persons between five years old and 70 years old should also be gradually allowed to go out of their houses, as part of the further reopening of the economy.
The NEDA chief has also asked for the President’s approval of such recommendations after citing rise in hunger incidence, as well as income loss reaching P1.04 trillion.
“Given progress on the health side and no spike in COVID cases from the reopening of the economy last October and yearend holiday, our recommendation is number one, we further open the economy to MGCQ for the entire Philippines especially NCR,” Chua said.
“The main reason is gusto natin na ma-mitigate o mabawasan ang sickness, hunger, poverty and income loss that is arising from non-COVID cases,” he added.
Chua said that the government can implement localized lockdowns when necessary.
Metro Manila remains to be the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic and is still under the General Community Quarantine.
