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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Pateros mayor prefers easing ECQ in Metro Manila

Pateros mayor prefers easing ECQ in Metro Manila

Published Aug 19, 2021 02:06 pm

Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III said he prefers easing the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status in Metro Manila for the sake of the economy.

Metro Manila mayors did not recommend the next quarantine status for the National Capital Region (NCR) after the last day of ECQ on Aug. 20, preferring that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to make the decision.

Contact tracers assist the Pateros Rescue team in transporting COVID-19 patients to isolation centers on Aug. 8 (DILG NCR-Pateros)

During the “Laging Handa” briefing Thursday, Ponce said, “I think it is better to ease the restriction a little for the sake of the economy but when it comes to the observance of the PDITR, that is prevention, detection, isolation, treatment and reintegration, this should be intensified because, I think, this is our solution. That is for our countrymen to take care and follow minimum health protocols.”

The mayor said the local government can no longer afford an extension of ECQ for two to three weeks and they are already thinking about getting a loan for additional funds to support the programs against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

He said it is not only Pateros but also rich cities as well as funds are being funneled to sustain programs to fight the pandemic.

“It will be very hard if the ECQ is extended. First, we do not have the funds to give ‘ayuda’ to our countrymen. Even granular lockdowns will be hard if we do not allow APORs to go out and work. We do not have the funds to sustain and support them if we will only rely on local funds,” he said.

While ECQ will be beneficial to fight the pandemic, he said, but unlike last year’s ECQ, there are many things to be considered this time especially the economic aspect as people need to survive as the municipal government and national government cannot provide enough help.

As of Aug. 18, Pateros has 239 active COVID-19 cases out of 5,390 confirmed cases, 5,082 recoveries, and 73 deaths.

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Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce III ECQ covid-19 Pateros AYUDA
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