By Raymund Antonio Vice President Leni Robredo backed the extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, but she said the cash aid should be distributed to the people, especially the poor. Vice-President Leni Robredo
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN) Speaking to CNN Philippines, Robredo said the extension of the quarantine period would help “flatten the curve,” which health experts referred to as slowing the rate of coronavirus infection. Robredo cited studies that showed a relapse may occur should the government lift the enhanced community quarantine enforced on March 16. “There have been many studies already conducted; one of them is the Ayala-sponsored study showing that if we lift the enhanced community quarantine now, the chance the cases will peak by May is very high,” she said. “It shows that if we extend the ECQ, chances are we have a greater opportunity to flatten the curve,” Robredo, a lawyer, added. President Duterte approved the extension of the Luzon lockdown until April 30, according to cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles, the spokesman of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). “Provided, that all exemptions granted by the Office of the President or the IATF shall continue to be in effect for the duration of the extended ECQ,” he said, citing the resolution passed by the the country’s COVID-19 task force. With the extension, Robredo said the government should explain to the people why the longer lockdown period is necessary during the virus pandemic. “People should understand why there is a need to extend. Because if people don’t understand why we are extending, there might be a resistance,” the opposition leader said. “Number two, the assistance should be given to the poor so the sacrifices won’t be too bad for everyone,” Robredo continued. As of the latest count of the Department of Health (DOH), the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines has increased to 3,660, with 163 deaths and 73 recoveries.