By Martin Sadongdong Local chief executives are encouraged to implement "localized lockdowns" to address health concerns in areas placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ (MGCQ) where restrictions have been eased. Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr.
(NTF on COVID-19 / MANILA BULLETIN) Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Action Plan (NAP) on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), said localized lockdowns shall be implemented in barangays or areas which experience spikes in virus transmission. "Mayroon tayong tinatawag na rapid response, kung saan ila-lockdown natin ang isang building, pwedeng ila-lockdown din natin yung isang block, isa o dalawang barangay (We have what we call rapid response wherein we lockdown a building, a block, or one or two barangays)," he said. According to Galvez, health protocols being implemented under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) shall be used in areas that will be placed under localized lockdowns, even if these areas are included in cities, municipalities, or regions that are already in GCQ or MGCQ in general. On Monday, June 1, Metro Manila shifted into GCQ along with Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon or Region 4A), Pangasinan and Albay provinces, and Mandaue and Davao cities. The rest of the country is placed under MGCQ. Under GCQ, more industries were allowed to open to revive the economy. Public transportation was also allowed but in a limited capacity. "GCQ will put some breathing space to have economic activity considering that the millions of our workers are being affected by the lockdown," Galvez said. "Then we will localize the lockdown in barangays, ‘what we call segmented and surgical, and we could prevent the widespread transmission. We are protecting our people from the second wave ," he added. Further, Galvez said the government expects to further increase its testing capacity by the end of June, with a specific focus in Metro Manila. Last month, COVID-19 testing czar Vince Dizon had said the government was planning to conduct an average of 30,000 tests per day by May 31 -- a target that was terribly missed by the government. Currently, the government's testing capacity was placed by health officials between 8,500 to 9,500 tests per day. However, Galvez expressed optimism that the government will be able to achieve its goal of 30,000 tests per day by month-end. After visiting Bohol, Cebu, Baguio, Davao, Zamboanga, Butuan City and General Santos City last month, Galvez is scheduled to visit Iloilo this week to assess the health situation in the province and oversee the establishment of testing laboratories there.