COVID rise must be checked in NCR before eyeing shift to MECQ --- Roque

Malacañang said that while it wanted the National Capital Region (NCR) to shift to less strict quarantine classification soon, the government cannot endanger the people's lives if the country cannot take care of those who might get sick because of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pushed for Metro Manila to shift to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) as soon as possible if no surge of COVID-19 cases will be recorded.

Metro Manila was placed under a two-week ECQ from August 6 to 20 due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

In his press briefing on Thursday, August 12, Roque said the Palace was one with the people who were calling for the de-escalation of the region's risk classification but said it cannot place the people's lives in danger.

"We all want a lesser quarantine classification na mas marami pong taong makapagtrabaho. Pero ang desisyon nga po natin is total health (so many people can go to work but our decision is based on total health)," he said.

"Hindi naman natin papayagan na tuluyang magkasakit ang ating mga kababayan na hindi tayo handang gamutin ang mga seryoso at kritikal na magkakasakit (We cannot let the people get sick if we are not prepared to treat those who will be in severe and critical conditions)," he added.

According to Roque, the government is undertaking steps to make sure that people who will get sick will not be neglected.

"Ang ginagawa po natin, pinaparami natin ang ating ICU bed capacities-- sana po nangyayari nga po 'yan (What we're doing is we are increasing our ICU bed capacities-- we hope that this is really happening)," he said.

Meanwhile, Roque said it was still early to decide on Metro Manila's fate.

"Titignan naman natin ang datos sa takdang panahon. Pero matagal pa po, a-bente pa po ang katapusan ng ECQ dito sa Metro Manila (We will look at the data when the right time comes. But we're not there yet, the ECQ in Metro Manila will end on the 20th)," he said.