Isko Moreno says Manila ready for transition to GCQ

Domagoso, however, said it is still better to wait for the formal announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte, who will make the final decision based on the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). (File Photo: Isko Moreno Domagoso/Facebook)

MANILA – The city of Manila is prepared in case the National Capital Region transitions to a general community quarantine (GCQ) on June 1, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Thursday.

Domagoso, however, said it is still better to wait for the formal announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte, who will make the final decision based on the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

“After the president makes his announcement, from there we will make adjustments if there will be need for adjustment. We will wait for the guideline but we are ready in any eventualities,” Domagoso said in an online briefing.

He added that for now, they have already prepared plans to be rolled out under whatever category the city will be placed.

To recall, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) recommended to the IATF the transition of NCR from modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to GCQ with restrictions.

The MECQ in NCR will lapse on May 31.

As part of its preparations, Manila is opening its fifth quarantine facility Thursday afternoon with a 41-bed capacity at the Arellano High School in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Manila already has four quarantine facilities as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

These are the Delpan Quarantine Facility, Araullo High School, Tondo High School and T. Paez Elementary School.

Domagoso clarified that these quarantine facilities are not for people who tested positive for Covid-19 but for the probable persons under investigation.

“For proper information ng ating mga kababayan, ang quarantine facilities na tinatayo natin ay hindi (for proper information of our constituents, these quarantine facilities that we build are not) Covid-19 patient facilities, these are for probable PUIs who were tested positive with rapid testing kit, mass testing effort of the city and those showing symptoms and will be submitted to swab testing and awaiting result of swab testing kailangan natin pansamantalang mailayo sila sa kanilang pamilya within the community area at mailayo din sa kapahamakan (we need to temporarily take them out of their houses away from their families, but within the community area),” he said.

After the result of the swab test has been released, those found negative will be sent home while those who turn out to be positive for Covid-19 will be placed in a healthcare facility, especially those with severe conditions.

As of posting, the city has already conducted a total of 9,763 swab tests and 58,269 rapid tests.