THE Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is expected to announce the quarantine status of each town, city, province and region on Wednesday, May 27.

“Antayin na lamang po natin ang magiging desisyon ng IATF, dahil inaasahan naman po natin na baka bukas ay mayroon nang desisyon,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a public briefing aired Tuesday, May 26.

He also said President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon with several religious leaders via video conference.

“Mamaya po may konsultasyon sa mga religious leaders, instead of a live dialogue. It will be by zoom,” Roque said.

Only the cities of Cebu and Mandaue remain on enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 31.

Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and Angeles City are under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The rest of the country is under GCQ.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said Metro Manila may transition into GCQ after May 31.

He said this would help people get used to new normal rules such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, frequent washing of hands, and other health protocols.

Metro Manila Council chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said majority of the local chief executives are in favor of placing the region under GCQ after May 31.

He said 14 out of 17 Metro Manila mayors prefer to have their cities placed under the GCQ to allow more businesses to reopen as the pandemic resulted in “devastating effects” on the livelihood of their constituents.

According to Roque, the IATF will consider the doubling rate of coronavirus infections and the healthcare system capacity of an area in deciding on its quarantine status.

“Ang importante po tignan natin ang doubling rate, ang critical care capacity, at syempre, atensyon din sa ating ekonomiya,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)