CABINET Secretary Karlo Nograles announced during a press briefing Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon until April 30, 2020. Nograles said that the President accepted the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease for the extension of the ECQ in Luzon.
Nograles explained that the resolution passed by the task force noted that exemptions previously granted by the IATF and the Office of the President shall continue within the duration of the extended ECQ. “Such extension of the ECQ shall be without prejudice to the discretion of the President to relax that implementation of the ECQ in some local jurisdictions or the granting of exemptions in favor of certain sectors such as public health considerations and food security may warrant,” he said.
I think the extension of the ECQ for 15 days is the best compromise. This is a balancing act of the government between protecting the health welfare of its citizens and the economic impact of the lockdown. In my Monday’s column, I already explained the pros and cons of lifting or extending the lockdown.
Last March 14, Duterte placed the entire Luzon area under ECQ for one month to curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus (Covid-19) as it was rapidly spreading at that time. The figures of those being infected or found positive are still increasing as of this moment. While there have been reports that some patients are cured, what is very lamentable is that the mortality rate is also increasing.
It’s a good decision of the task force and the President. The virus’ spread is still peaking. Despite the negative economic impact, it seems that we are left with no choice but to ensure that the current lockdown is worthwhile and successful, some experts said. I fully agree with them.
I don’t know if the local government units (LGUs) that also imposed lockdowns like Cebu City and Cebu Province will also lift the imposition after the National Government lifts the order. I believe the LGUs are given their own mandate to do what is best for their localities. It would depend on the progress on the spread of the virus here. If it will become very alarming, then by all means our local officials should extend the lockdown.
Why I said the extension is the best compromise? Because it will balance the health and welfare of the citizens and the economic difficulties experienced by the so-called informal economy sector and even the middle class during this lockdown. We don’t want to aggravate the fate of this sector that is now crying for support from the government. If majority will be on starvation, chaos and disorder will follow. We don’t want that what happened in India will happen here. The lockdown in India turned into a humanitarian catastrophe. Millions of people are starving because their government failed to support them. Simba ko ug mahitabo na nato dinhi.
And I think the President acknowledged this possible negative scenario. In his speech last Monday night, he said that hungry people will no longer follow the law. That is why he ordered Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to look for additional funds to be used to support the needs of the people who are greatly affected by the lockdown because of the virus. He even joked to Dominguez, “Magnakaw ka o manghiram ka ng pera para magamit natin. (Steal or borrow money so we can use it.)” Imagine that?
So, brace yourselves for another 15-day lockdown. Naanad na man hinuon ang uban. Agwanta lang sa ta kay mahuman og matapus ra unya ang atong pag-antos. As the saying goes: “Light at the end of the tunnel.”