Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año reiterated Friday, Nov. 5, that the improving coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in Metro Manila is enough proof to take risks and downgrade the National Capital Region (NCR) to Alert Level 2 although the government needs to try and manage its risks.
The DILG chief made the statement as the deescalation drew mixed reactions from the public as some individuals were elated by the more relaxed health protocol restrictions while others felt it was still too early to ease up and the move may prove disastrous with the likelihood of a spike in COVID-19 cases later on.
Año explained that the COVID-19 cases and health care utilization rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) are on a continuous downward trend which prompted the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to place the area under Alert Level 2.
"We have to try and manage the risk. We have to live with the virus and move on," Año noted.
"Kapag tumaas ang case (If the case rises), we can escalate immediately," he added.
IATF Resolution No. 147 states that Alert Level 2 will be imposed in Metro Manila until Nov. 21.
On Nov. 3, the country recorded 1,591 new cases -- the lowest single-day COVID-19 tally in eight months l.
Earlier, Año pointed out that even with the much improved vaccination rate in NCR, the public needs to adhere to health protocols and comply with the minimum health standards to effectively manage the cases.
He stressed that local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall strictly implement the IATF guidelines, laws and ordinances especially as the Christmas season nears to prevent a new wave of infections.
Admitting the possibility of a rise in COVID-19 cases with the easing of health restrictions, Año emphasized that LGUs must also “be quick to impose granular lockdown in areas where there are transmissions.’’
The DILG Chief also hopes that the nationwide implementation of the alert level system will be implemented by December. The new system will replace the old quarantine status which are still in effect in some parts of the country.
"Nagexpand na tayo eh, region. Una Region 4-A, Region 7, Region 11. Ngayon nadagdagan natin ang Region 3, Region 6, Region 10. So makita mo almost seven regions na iyon. By Dec. 1 siguro nationwide na, alert level system na tayo. Ready na iyan by that time (We already expanded in other regions. First in Region 4-A, Region 7, and Region 11. Now Region 3, Region 6, Region 10 were added. So you can see that it is almost seven regions. Maybe by Dec. 1, the alert level system is already nationwide. They are ready by that time)," he said.