Reverting Metro Manila to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) has prompted Vice President Leni Robredo’s office to reactivate its assistance drive for health workers in the capital region.
The vice president made a call for volunteers to help her office in providing assistance to Metro Manila frontliners in one of her Facebook posts.
“MECQ has just been declared. We will be reactivating most of our services from March and April for our frontliners,” Robredo said.
President Duterte has again placed Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan under MECQ from August 4 to 18 following the recent surge in coronavirus cases.
The move came after the medical community’s appeal to his administration to review its current response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Under MECQ, public transport such as buses, jeepneys, taxis, trains, ride-hailing services, and tricycles are not allowed to operate. Manufacturing firms and other industries may only operate at half capacity and persons may leave their homes only for essential goods and work.
The OVP has been running its own programs to assist medical personnel and frontliners, but its relief work has taken a backseat after eight of its staff members tested for coronavirus in the past weeks.
Robredo’s office has provided free dormitories, shuttle service, food packs, personal protective equipment, and medical supplies for frontliners in partnership with the private sector.
Robredo said relief work at her office is now back in full operations.