For the sake of single Filipinos, Kabayan Party-List Rep. Ron Salo hopes that no form of "holiday lockdown" would be enforced this month.
"I have serious reservation on a proposal for a lockdown during Christmas and New Year," Salo said, sounding off on persistent rumors that a heightened lockdown or enhance community quarantine (ECQ) would be imposed in the metropolis.
"We need to balance our desire to protect the health of our people with that of ensuring their mental health. Our people have already been in a long lockdown since the pandemic began and this has posed a serious challenge on the mental health of our people, particularly to the single and those living alone," said the former UP law professor.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque recently branded as "fake news" the rumors of a nationwide lockdown that would supposedly be implemented from December 23, 2020 to January 3, 2021.
These dates cover Christmas Day and New Year's Day, which by tradition are cherished occasions by Filipino couples and families alike.
Despite Roque's pronouncements, there are still people in and out of the House of Representatives who see wisdom in a holiday lockdown if only to prevent a huge spike in COVID-19 infections at the start of 2021.
But Salo contends that Filipinos would benefit more from keeping the quarantine status as is.
"With all the challenges that we have faced this 2020 - both individually and as a nation - everyone needs an opportunity to enjoy this season in the presence of their families and loved ones, and to enjoy the festivities and be optimistic of the coming year," the lawyer-congressman said.
"What we need instead is a more vigorous information campaign on, and a stricter enforcement of, minimum health standards to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes the wearing of masks and faceshield, physical distancing, regular hand washing and use of alcohol," he noted.
Salo further said that instilling greater responsibility on the action and behavior of the people "is certainly more effective in preventing the spread of the virus than instituting greater restriction on their mobility."
The National Capital Region or Metro Manila is among the handful of areas in the country that will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until December 31, as earlier declared by President Duterte. The rest of the country is currently under the less stringent modified GCQ (MGCQ).
The GCQ status is two steps below ECQ, which is the strictest lockdown protocol. Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, and Davao City are also under GCQ.