The Department of Health (DOH) once again flagged the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Visayas and Mindanao.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that they were closely monitoring the situation in those areas.
"Nagpapakita ang Visayas ng pagtaas kung saan Region 6 ang may pinakamabilis na pagtaas lalong lalo na po ang siyudad ng Iloilo (Visayas is showing a rise in cases with Region 6 having the fastest increase especially in Iloilo City)," said the Health chief during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday night, May 26.
"At ganun din sa Mindanao, Regions 9 and 10 ang may pinakamalaking itinaas habang tumataas din ang natitirang rehiyon (And also in Mindanao, Regions 9 and 10 recorded the biggest increase, while the cases in other regions are also rising)," he added.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in the National Capital Region and “the rest of Luzon continue to decline but at a slower pace."
In his key message, Duque stated that “we cannot solely rely on the implementation of ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) and MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine)” to curb the rising number of cases.
“Sa tuwing magpapatupad tayo ng enhanced community quarantine malaki po ang negatibong epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya at kabuhayan ng mamamayan natin (Every time we implement an enhanced community quarantine, it creates a negative impact on our economy and the livelihood of our people),” he said.
He noted that minimum public health standards and safety protocols must be “well implemented to counter potential surges in the future.”
"Hinihingi din namin ang tulong ng ibang mga sektor partikular na ang ating transportation, trade, and tourism, among others upang siguraduhin po na ligtas at protektado ang ating mga mamamayan (We also seek the help of other sectors particularly our transportation, trade, and tourism, among others, to ensure that our citizens are safe and protected),” said Duque.