Senator Francis Pangilinan said Saturday that the government should listen to the appeal of health care workers for the implementation of stricter quarantine measures in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Medical groups have called for reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine in NCR for at least two weeks to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases in the region and give exhausted health workers a "time out.”
The period would also give the government time to come up with a comprehensive plan that would actually curb the pandemic, they said.
"Pakinggan ang ating mga frontliner dahil sila ang tunay na ‘sundalo’ laban sa pandemyang ito. Kaisa ng ating mga eksperto, nanawagan kami sa ating pamahalaan na dinggin ang kanilang hiling na magpatupad muna ng ECQ. Marapat lamang na ang pamahalaan ang mag-adjust sa katotohanan (We should listen to our frontliners because they are the real 'soldiers' against this pandemic. We are one with our health experts in appealing to the government to heed their request for the implementation of an ECQ. Our government should adjust to the reality),” Pangilinan said in a statement.
"Sa kalaban natin ngayon, ang kailangan ay maayos na sistema, malinaw na pagdedesisyon, pakikinig sa mga eksperto (Against this enemy that we have now, what we need is a proper system, clear decision making, and heeding our experts)," he added.
President Duterte announced the extension of the General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila even with the surge of COVID-19 cases in the region.
The Philippines has recorded yesterday a record-high 4,063 cases, bringing the total of coronavirus infection to 93,354.
Latest DOH data said that a total of 4,823 healthcare workers tested positive for COVID-19. Of these, 4,490 have recovered, 38 have died and 293 are active cases.
"Walang mangyayari sa atin kung patuloy na mamumuno ang mga nagdedesisyon ngayon (Nothing will happen to us if those who decide today continue to lead),” said Pangilinan, who has been calling for the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.