Duterte to consult with DOH ex-chiefs before deciding on ECQ
Published Apr 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
As the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine nears its expiration on April 30, Malacañang said President Duterte will consult with former Department of Health (DOH) secretaries so he can decide whether to extend or modify the lockdown.
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his Monday press conference, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Duterte will decide on the fate of the ECQ based on the recommendation of experts and most importantly, based on science.
He, however, said the President will have to make a decision soon.
"Ang desisyon kung ano ang gagawin ni Presidente ay dapat nakabase sa siyensiya. Mamayang hapon ay magkakaroon po ng consultation ang ating Presidente sa mga dalubhasa at mga espesiyalista-- mga epidemiologists, mga virologists, at ang mga dating mga kalihim ng Department of Health (The President's decision must be based on science. Later in the afternoon, he will have a consultation with experts, specialists, epidemiologists, virologists, and former DOH secretaries)," he said.
"Siguro po dahil sampung araw na lang at matatapos na itong ECQ, kinakailangan magdesisyon ang Presidente ngayong linggong ito dahil anuman ang maging desisyon niya ay kinakailangang paghandaan ang implementasyon (Since the ECQ has 10 days left, the President needs to make a decision this week because we still need to prepare for its implementation)," he added.
Roque explained that President Duterte wants to make the right decision because he needs to balance the duty of the State to protect public health and safety with the right of the public to make a living.
He added that the President's options are either to extend the ECQ or modify it based on geographical locations like in provinces, municipalities, or barangays.
Roque said it will be better to extend the ECQ instead of modifying it since it will be harder to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"Mas safe pero ang problema naman po natin eh paano naman magkakaroon ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan. Ang naibibigay po nating mga ayuda ay para lang food survival (An extension would be safer but the problem is how can the people make a living? The aid we are giving is only for food survival)," he said.
'Yan po ay isang desisyon na mahirap gawin (That is a difficult decision to make). I don't envy the President for having to make this decision but we are hoping and praying that the right decision will be made," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles had earlier said that while the ECQ may be lifted or modified, the government can always bring it back if there will be a resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
While the government cannot just lift the ECQ as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), it can consider doing the lifting in phases, or target which sectors can start operating again.
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his Monday press conference, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Duterte will decide on the fate of the ECQ based on the recommendation of experts and most importantly, based on science.
He, however, said the President will have to make a decision soon.
"Ang desisyon kung ano ang gagawin ni Presidente ay dapat nakabase sa siyensiya. Mamayang hapon ay magkakaroon po ng consultation ang ating Presidente sa mga dalubhasa at mga espesiyalista-- mga epidemiologists, mga virologists, at ang mga dating mga kalihim ng Department of Health (The President's decision must be based on science. Later in the afternoon, he will have a consultation with experts, specialists, epidemiologists, virologists, and former DOH secretaries)," he said.
"Siguro po dahil sampung araw na lang at matatapos na itong ECQ, kinakailangan magdesisyon ang Presidente ngayong linggong ito dahil anuman ang maging desisyon niya ay kinakailangang paghandaan ang implementasyon (Since the ECQ has 10 days left, the President needs to make a decision this week because we still need to prepare for its implementation)," he added.
Roque explained that President Duterte wants to make the right decision because he needs to balance the duty of the State to protect public health and safety with the right of the public to make a living.
He added that the President's options are either to extend the ECQ or modify it based on geographical locations like in provinces, municipalities, or barangays.
Roque said it will be better to extend the ECQ instead of modifying it since it will be harder to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"Mas safe pero ang problema naman po natin eh paano naman magkakaroon ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga kababayan. Ang naibibigay po nating mga ayuda ay para lang food survival (An extension would be safer but the problem is how can the people make a living? The aid we are giving is only for food survival)," he said.
'Yan po ay isang desisyon na mahirap gawin (That is a difficult decision to make). I don't envy the President for having to make this decision but we are hoping and praying that the right decision will be made," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles had earlier said that while the ECQ may be lifted or modified, the government can always bring it back if there will be a resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
While the government cannot just lift the ECQ as advised by the World Health Organization (WHO), it can consider doing the lifting in phases, or target which sectors can start operating again.