Metro Manila mayors have agreed to retain the quarantine status of the National Capital Region (NCR) to Alert Level 3 despite the upsurge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

In his interview with PTV’s Laging Handa on Saturday, Jan. 15, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Benhur Abalos justified this decision saying that the existing COVID restrictions are compelling people at the National Capital Region to stay at home and be mindful of their movement outside of their houses.

“Hindi ka pa man nagtataas, ang ating mga kababayan ay nagkakaroon na ng self-discipline na sila na mismo nagse-self-regulate sa sarili nila (People are already learning to self-regulate and observe discipline although we have not yet upgraded the alert level), ” Abalos said.

“Ang purpose ng alert levels ay mobility, pero kung nakikita naman natin ang mga tao ay nasa bahay lang at sila mismo ang disiplinado nagreregulate sa kanila sarili isa ito sa mga basehan sa mga alert level (The purpose of alert levels is to control mobility, but if citizens are staying at home and have discipline then these are the things we consider),” he added.

Abalos also promoted home care and telemedicine for those who were infected, noting that most patients with active cases in quarantine facilities are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.

“Yung ating cases ay mild or asymptomatic, kaya nga meron tayong bagong programa yung tinatawag nating home care ibig sabihin kung ang bahay mo naman may sarili kang kuwarto at banyo, itsi-check ka ng Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), bibigyan ka ng kaukulang qualification kung puwede ka na dun na lang sa bahay mo (Infected patients are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, that’s why we have a home care program. If you have your own room with bathroom, the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) will check if your qualified to isolate in your home),” he explained.

Abalos encouraged everyone to coordinate with their respective LGUs (local government units) if they need assistance or contact details of private and public hospitals and organizations offering telemedicine or tele-consultation.

The MMDA chairman also said that all mayors have already passed their separate yet uniform ordinances limiting the movement of the unvaccinated under Alert Level 3.

“So far, no citizens violated the restriction,” he said.

NCR is currently in Alert Level 3 until Jan. 31.