The congressman of the country’s most populous municipality has appealed to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to consider the economic effects of an Alert Level 4 before deciding to impose it in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.

Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles, who hails from densely-populated Montalban, aired the appeal as he noted the heavy economic toll brought by the imposition of Alert Level 3 in covered areas, including Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces.

“We cannot afford to lose much-needed money as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that requires a lot of funds. As such, I appeal to the IATF not to impose Alert Level 4 and instead, do everything not to reach the point that it will be necessary,” said Nograles, vice chairman of the House Committee on Justice.

The neophyte solon also lamented that at least P3 billion-weekly losses are incurred due to Alert Level 3, saying this is already too high.

“I think this is the reason why all of the mayors of Metro Manila also prefer not to further restrict economic activity,” he added.

Nograles likewise underscored that, common workers will bear the brunt of a stricter quarantine status.

“Employees who live in Montalban and work in the National Capital Region will again have a hard time commuting. Worse, those affected by closures, even if only temporary, will face even more problems. I hope we can consider these people before coming up with an abrupt decision,” he appealed.

The Harvard-trained lawyer hopes Metro Manila’s healthcare utilization rate remains manageable so the imposition of Alert Level 4 will not be necessary anymore.

“We appeal to our countrymen to faithfully adhere to our basic protocols such as the wearing of facemasks, social distancing, and handwashing so our healthcare system will not be too stressed and so we will not have to impose stricter measures than what we have now,” he said.