President Duterte is willing to lift the strict community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and nearby provinces once the coronavirus situation has improved.

Addressing the nation Monday, the President admitted that he had difficulty extending the movement curbs but promised to remove them "without delay" if the situation warrants.

Duterte earlier said he was sorry for imposing a longer modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to slow down the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The MECQ, which includes a stay-at-home rule except for work and essential needs, ban on large gatherings, as well as limited business operations and public transportation, in National Capital Region Plus has been extended until May 14 upon the recommendation from a government task force.

"Let me assure to the people that once things begin to clear, we will lift the quarantine immediately without delay," Duterte said in his remarks aired on state television Monday, May 3.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier reported to the President about the gradual drop in the country's cases of infections as well as the improvement in the health care capacity. So far, the country recorded 1,062,225 cases of infections, including 69,466 active cases and 17,525 deaths.

In his speech Monday night, Duterte admitted his dilemma in prolonging quarantine restrictions but explained these were needed to curb the virus spread. He also remained grateful for the "proper advice" of health experts in addressing the public health emergency.

"Ako dito ako mahirapan ako mag-ano sa tao. I don't know whether to cut my throat and explain to you that I keep on extending the quarantine," he said.

"In the end sa katapusan nito, magpasalamat tayo sa mga doktor (we must thank the doctors), the medical people who really give us the proper advice. It is good to listen to people na may alam. Linya nila 'yan eh (who are knowledgeable. That's their expertise)," he said.

Duterte, a former prosecutor, yielded to the expertise of the health experts in dealing with the outbreak. He said there was no need for lawyers in addressing the country's health problem.

"Kung batas ito, lalo na criminal law, dito ka sa akin (If this is about law, especially criminal law, you can come to me). I can give you in a jiffy, in a moment advice. Pero hindi namin --- hindi man linya ito ngayon ng mga abugado. Hindi kailangan ng mga abugado ngayon dito sa problemang ito (But this is not the expertise of lawyers. Lawyers are not needed in today's problem)," he added.

The President has also been affected by the movement restrictions after his activities outside the Palace, including his trips back to his home in Davao City, has been reduced as a precaution against the coronavirus case surge.

Apart from NCR Plus, areas under MECQ until May 14 are Abra, Ifugao, Santiago City, and Quirino.

For the month of May, the places under the less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) are Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur.

The rest of the country will stay under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) for the rest of May.