By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
The government is not happy with the leak of the supposed Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) only in high-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas across the country until May 15.
A highly-placed source told the Manila Bulletin that the head of the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 ordered the search for the one responsible for leaking photos of the supposed IATF resolution late Thursday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on April 23, 2020.
(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Hindi dapat kumakalat yung ganyan (That kind of information should not have spread)," the source said.
"Nagagalit sila kasi confidential 'yan. Hindi dapat lumalabas 'yan (The NTF was angry because that is confidential. That should not have leaked)," the source added.
Photos of the supposed IATF resolution, which circulated online late Thursday, the night before President Duterte announced the fate of the ECQ, listed the following to be placed under ECQ due to the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
- National Capital Region (NCR);
- Region III (Central Luzon);
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON);
- Province of Pangasinan;
- Province of Benguet;
- The Island of Mindoro;
- Province of Albay;
- The Island of Catanduanes
- The Island of Panay;
- The Island of Cebu; and
- The Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao City
Meanwhile, the resolution, also revealed that some places will be placed under the general community quarantine (GCQ). The said places, however, were not specified in the resolution.
"For all other moderate-risk and low-risk administrative regions, provinces, or areas, a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) shall be implemented starting May 1, 2020. Provided, that as a precondition, minimum health standards are achieved and continually observed," it read.
"Any form of community quarantine in low-risk areas may be lifted by May 15, 2020, should no change in the risk-level occur," it furthered.
The implementation of all forms of community quarantine shall be in accordance with approved minimum health standards for health facilities, testing, and hygiene, which shall be defined by the Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with sector-specific guidelines which may be issued by different government agencies.
Under the resolution, the national government shall consider the reprioritization of the Social Amelioration Program towards areas placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine.
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Based on the resolution, those under the GCQ may "continue to work in phases" as long as they fall under selected sectors not identified in the document. Local Government Units (LGUs) shall enforce curfew at night for non-workers.
The general population may go out of their homes only to access basic necessities. However, those with ages below 21 years old and those 60 years old and above, as well as those with ages ranging from 21 years old but below 60 years old but reside with persons with co-morbidities or other risk factors, shall remain at home.
Non-leisure stores in malls and shopping centers may partially open. Public transportation may operate at a reduced capacity in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may continue classes to finish the Academic Year and issue a credential to students, in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Priority and essential construction projects may likewise resume in accordance with guidelines as may be issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Airports and seaports may operate insofar as the unhampered movement of goods. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)