Senators in full support of further extension of ECQ
Published Apr 24, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senators have supported the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other regions in the country that are at a high risk for COVID-19 outbreak.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (Alvin Kasiban / MANILA BULLETIN)
Senate President Vicente Sotto III deferred to the executive department in deciding to prolong the ECQ for "high-risk" areas until May 15, while easing it on areas with fewer cases of coronavirus infections under a general community quarantine.
"Those were the same reports and messages we were given last Monday," he told reporters, recalling their April 20 meeting with President Duterte, cabinet officials, and health experts.
"At this point, everything is in the hands of the exec dep," he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who also expected Duterte's decision, said the government would have to allow gradual resumption of businesses but at the same time ensure that the pandemic is controlled.
"We will eventually have to allow people to get back to work little by little. Expect a new normal with physical distancing, wearing mask, lack of consumer confidence, worker confidence, and investor confidence," he said in a separate text message.
Recto reiterated that the need to invest in improving the country's health care system, particularly in mass testing and the isolation and treatment of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, and incentivizing doctors, nurses, and other health workers.
The government should also "provide worker subsidies, interest-free loans for businesses and re-purpose industries" during the extended quarantine period, he added.
Sen. Joel Villanueva also backed the extended ECQ, saying this is needed to flatten the coronavirus curve.
"We have to remember that these measures are necessary to reduce the stress in our health care system," Villanueva said.
On the other hand, he said the assistance to residents affected by the extended ECQ must be delivered "without delay."
Like Recto, Villanueva believed that the government should focus this time on beefing up its mass testing efforts and capacitate local government units to set up their testing centers and conduct testing in their jurisdictions.
"It is very important that we also focus on improving the capacity of the healthcare system all over the country. The COVID-19 will not disappear anytime soon so we need to focus on building our surveillance and health care capacity," he pointed out.
He also agreed with the maintaining a general community quarantine in low-risk areas.
"The reality is we really need to sacrifice the economy to stop the spread of disease. But we hope the government can study a sectoral approach of lifting the quarantine... We may be able to operate a portion of the economy with proper health protocols and monitoring," Villanueva appealed.
Read more:Â Duterte extends quarantine in NCR, other places until May 15
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (Alvin Kasiban / MANILA BULLETIN)
Senate President Vicente Sotto III deferred to the executive department in deciding to prolong the ECQ for "high-risk" areas until May 15, while easing it on areas with fewer cases of coronavirus infections under a general community quarantine.
"Those were the same reports and messages we were given last Monday," he told reporters, recalling their April 20 meeting with President Duterte, cabinet officials, and health experts.
"At this point, everything is in the hands of the exec dep," he added.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who also expected Duterte's decision, said the government would have to allow gradual resumption of businesses but at the same time ensure that the pandemic is controlled.
"We will eventually have to allow people to get back to work little by little. Expect a new normal with physical distancing, wearing mask, lack of consumer confidence, worker confidence, and investor confidence," he said in a separate text message.
Recto reiterated that the need to invest in improving the country's health care system, particularly in mass testing and the isolation and treatment of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients, and incentivizing doctors, nurses, and other health workers.
The government should also "provide worker subsidies, interest-free loans for businesses and re-purpose industries" during the extended quarantine period, he added.
Sen. Joel Villanueva also backed the extended ECQ, saying this is needed to flatten the coronavirus curve.
"We have to remember that these measures are necessary to reduce the stress in our health care system," Villanueva said.
On the other hand, he said the assistance to residents affected by the extended ECQ must be delivered "without delay."
Like Recto, Villanueva believed that the government should focus this time on beefing up its mass testing efforts and capacitate local government units to set up their testing centers and conduct testing in their jurisdictions.
"It is very important that we also focus on improving the capacity of the healthcare system all over the country. The COVID-19 will not disappear anytime soon so we need to focus on building our surveillance and health care capacity," he pointed out.
He also agreed with the maintaining a general community quarantine in low-risk areas.
"The reality is we really need to sacrifice the economy to stop the spread of disease. But we hope the government can study a sectoral approach of lifting the quarantine... We may be able to operate a portion of the economy with proper health protocols and monitoring," Villanueva appealed.
Read more:Â Duterte extends quarantine in NCR, other places until May 15