After the reported success of the pilot testing of the country's new quarantine classification system in Metro Manila, former Vice President Jejomar Binay urged the national government to thoroughly study first its plan to implement granular lockdowns nationwide.

Binay aired his reaction after some government officials were reportedly thinking if the new quarantine system may now be implemented outside Metro Manila.

"Madali itong gawin sa Metro Manila, pero baka maging dagdag na problema pa ito sa mga local government na kapos sa resources (It is easier to do it here in Metro Manila, but it can also be a problem to local governments with limited resources)," Binay said in a statement.

"Metro Manila LGUs (local government units) have the resources to enforce granular lockdowns. They can do contact tracing and testing of all residents in the affected areas. They have resources to provide food and other basic needs of affected residents. But outside Metro Manila, and with few exceptions, local governments do not have enough resources to enforce granular lockdowns," he added.

Binay explained that whatever resources these local governments may have had prior to the pandemic, especially fourth and fifth class municipalities, they have either been stretched thinly or depleted as a result of re-channeling funds to meet the medical needs of constituents and extending aid to the needy since last year. He added that they are not receiving any help from the national government.

"Sa granular lockdown, paghahatian ng local government at national government ang pagbibigay ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan ng mga residente. Ito rin ba ang sistema sa labas ng Metro Manila? Paano kung walang pondo ang LGU para sa ayuda? (During granular lockdowns, the local government and national government will share in the distribution of food and other necessities of the residents. Will this be also the same system to be used outside Metro Manila? What is going to happen if the LGU has no funds for ayuda?," Binay said.

"No advance notice is given before a street, a compound, or a condominium is locked down. Is the national government ready to immediately provide food and other basic needs for the entire 14-day lockdown period? Baka naman tirik na ang mata ng mga residente sa gutom, wala pa rin ang ayuda mula sa national government (Maybe the residents will already die of hunger and the help from the national government will still not be there)," he said.