Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez is amenable to further easing the coronavirus lockdown in Metro Manila and other areas as long as the "seven commandments" are strictly followed to curb the spread of the illness.
Lopez said the coronavirus transmission could be lowered even under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) if people show "self-discipline" and "self-regulation” in observing health measures.
"I think after six months nitong virus, ng pandemic, ng lockdown, ako po ay naniniwala na natututo rin po tayo kung paano gumalaw, kumilos sa pag-manage ng virus ( I think after six months of the virus, the pandemic, the lockdown, I believe that we have learned how to move, how to manage the virus)," Lopez said during the Laging Handa public briefing Monday.
"Sa akin pong paniwala, ito po ay sa akin lang, maari po nating i-push ang mas magaan na community quarantine, subalit ang importante po ay may self-discipline at self-regulation ang buong bayan para talagang bumaba pa rin ang transmission kahit Modified GCQ that will allow us to open more sectors in the economy. (In my belief, we can push for a more relaxed community quarantine but it is important for the nation to have self-discipline and self-regulation to really lower the transmission even if we're under modified GCQ that will allow us to open more sectors in the economy)," he said.
The seven commandments, Lopez said, include wearing of face masks and face shields, no talking and no eating in public places especially in public transport, adequate ventilation, frequent disinfection, no symptomatic passengers and physical distancing.
These rules were initially proposed by a group of health experts for commuters using public transportation.
"I think magkaisa po ang sambayanan na talagang oobserbahin natin iyong seven commandments, I think bababa talaga iyong transmission at mawawala na ang COVID ( I think if the people stay united and observe the seven commandments, I think we can bring down the transmission and eliminate COVID)," Lopez said.
"Mas mababawasan na ang mga may kaso ng COVID at hopefully gumaan po ang trabaho ng ating mga frontliners na atin pong sinasaluduhan sa kanila pong talagang sakripisyo for the past over six months na po (We can reduce COVID cases and hopefully ease the work of our frontlines whom we salute for their sacrifices for the past over six months)," he added.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Batangas and Tacloban City remain under GCQ while Iloilo City, Bacolod City and Lanao del Sur are placed under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine for the month of September.
The rest of the country stayed on the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
The President is expected to announce soon the country's quarantine status for October.