Metro Manila mayors see no reason so far to upgrade the alert level status of the National Capital Region (NCR) despite the continuous rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
"Ang nakapagsunduan ng mga mayor is for the meantime we will retain Alert Level 3. (The mayors have agreed to retain Alert Level 3)," Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said in a press briefing on Monday, Jan 10.
In justifying the decision to retain Alert Level 3 status, Abalos presented data that showed a minimal increase in hospital bed utilization from Jan. 6 to 7.
Over the weekend, Abalos also said that the MMDA personnel and NCR local government units (LGUs) had monitored minimal activities of vehicles and individuals on highways, roads, malls, and markets.
"The intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization is at 43 percent on Jan. 6, 48 percent on Jan. 7, 51 percent on Jan. 8, and 52 percent on Jan. 9. On the other hand, ward beds used on Jan. 6 are at 50 percent and slightly increased at 59 percent on Jan. 7, 62 percent on Jan. 8, and 65 percent on Jan. 9," he said.
Abalos also defended the decision of the Metro Manila Council to restrict the movement of the unvaccinated in the metropolis. He said it will only be implemented temporarily, particularly under Alert Level 3 status
"Eighty-five percent of severe and critical condition are unvaccinated, and 93 of deaths are unvaccinated," Abalos said, citing the Department of Health's (DOH) data, which also showed that the effects of the infection for the vaccinated are not severe.
"We will continuously monitor specifically the health care utilization rate (HCUR), But for the meantime, mayors see no need to escalate to Alert Level 4," he said.
NCR and nearby provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan are currently under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15.