Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the apparent spike of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country will play a big role when the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease makes a recommendation for next month's quarantine classification.
Nograles made the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday 3,439 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 591,138.
In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, Nograles said the IATF, which he co-chairs, continues to monitor the situation closely, especially in Metro Manila.
"So imo-monitor natin buong March itong mga kaso ang obviously, ito ang magiging basis natin para sa recommendations natin for April (So we will monitor the entire March and obviously, the number of cases will be our basis for our recommendation for April)," he said Sunday morning.
Metro Manila is still under the general community quarantine (GCQ) this month. Nograles said the public can expect the recommendation of the IATF before the month ends.
Enforcement
Meanwhile, Nograles said it was up to the local government units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to make sure that the public is following the health protocols to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
According to the Palace officials, LGUs and law enforcers should be stricter now.
"Law enforcement side na ang kailangan talagang maghigpit ngayon. Nakikita naman natin na yung PNP natin naghihigpit na sa pag-enforce ng protocols, sumisita na po sila (Law enforcement side should be stricter now. But we are seeing that the PNP are really strict now in enforcing the protocols, they are now calling people out)," he said.
"Kailangan talagang sitahin yung mga hindi sumusunod at kung talagang matigas ang ulo (We really need to reprimand those who are not observing the protocols and if there are people who will not listen), they (law enforcement) know what to do," he added.
The Philippines will soon mark its first year in lockdown. Since then, the government has been reminding people to constantly wear face masks and face shields in public places, wash their hands properly, and observe physical distancing.