The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) expressed concern over the government's new community quarantine scheme in Metro Manila.

The government is currently implementing Alert Level in Metro Manila which has a five-point scale. The alert level is based on the area's case data and healthcare utilization rates. Granular lockdowns will be implemented by the local government units. Currently, Metro Manila is under Alert Level 4.

"In this new system, NCR will be placed on Alert Level 4, which entails lighter quarantine restrictions than MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine). This comes at a time when we face the worst surge of COVID- 19 cases in the Philippines," the HPAAC said in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 16.

"We now register more cases than at any other time since the pandemic started. Health facilities are overwhelmed, resulting in patients dying unattended at home, in ambulances, or in corridors," the group said.

The HPAAC said that the government should improve its COVID-19 data reporting system to get a clear picture of what is happening on the ground.

"Based on this premise, we are inclined to believe that the proposed scheme, which claims to use pandemic severity and healthcare utilization data in deciding the alert level, does not reflect the true situation on the ground. We therefore strongly urge the government to acknowledge and address the inadequacies of our data reporting system that forms the basis for the alert levels," the group said.

HPAAC said that the government should focus on contact tracing, testing, vaccination among others to curb the rising number of cases.

"We likewise remind the government to refocus on what can prevent future surges - integrated digital contact tracing, increased testing, appropriate compensation and recognition for healthcare workers, distribution of ayuda, enhanced vaccination, better coordination between facilities and government units, and improved air circulation in all facilities. We need these improvements to achieve longer relief from the pandemic," it said.

The healthcare professional group urged the public to avoid going outside of their homes if it is not necessary.

"In light of (the) latest easing of restrictions, we plead for the public to help healthcare workers by limiting our mobility when possible, and tightening protective measures now more than ever," the HPAAC said.

"We believe the country and our economy can survive this pandemic if we work together and listen closely to each other without insulting each other or losing our temper," it added.