Malacañang said that the government will not hesitate to place Metro Manila under the coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert Level 4 if the region meets the qualifications for escalation.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement amid calls to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 4 due to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases possibly fueled by the new Omicron variant.

In an interview with ANC's "Headstart" on Monday Nograles said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases continues to monitor the situation in Metro Manila.

"We are actively monitoring all of the metrics and parameters na dapat nating tingnan (that we need to look at)," he assured the public on January 10.

"As of the moment, hindi pa po siya tumatama sa tatlong metrics natin (It has not met our three metrics)-- enough for us to declare Alert Level 4. But immediately, pag tumama po 'yan (if it does), we will not hesitate to declare Alert Level 4 in any area," he added.

Nograles was referring to COVID-19's two-week growth rate, average daily attack rate, and total healthcare utilization. He said as of the moment, Metro Manila's total bed utilization was still at a moderate level.

According to the acting Palace spokesman, the country is "managing" the situation despite the rise of COVID-19 cases.

"We continue to manage the situation so that we do not breach the threshold and that means that our health capacity is well enough, is healthy enough, to accommodate those who need hospitalization," he said.

"We will not hesitate to do Alert Level 4 if we see that it breaches the threshold. As of the moment, it's not breaching the threshold," he added.

However, Nograles reminded the public that the fight against COVID-19 is not solely up to the government.

"We're managing the situation as much as we can but each and every one of us also has our responsibility to manage ourselves, manage our families, and manage the situation in our homes," he said.

"We have to be responsible for our actions-- all of us. We're in this battle against COVID for already two years now. So we pretty much know and we just have to keep reminding ourselves about hugas (handwashing), iwas (physical distancing), mask, bakuna (vaccination), ventilation," he added.

He likewise reminded those who are experiencing mild symptoms to isolate themselves at home.

"Those who are mild, you can home-isolate if it's needed. Coordinate with the LGU (local government unit), do telemedicine," Nograles said.

"If it's not conducive for home isolation, we have to bring you to the temporary treatment and monitoring facility then we'll manage you from there," he added.

On Sunday, the IATF has ordered the increase of bed capacity in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, areas that were placed under Alert Level 3 until January 15.