Manila braces for modified ECQ; readies more quarantine areas

While he earlier thumbed down the proposed extension of the ECQ saying that government resources are now depleting, he said the city is now in the process of doing post-ECQ lifting plan. (File photo: Manila Public Information Office/Facebook)

MANILA – Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday expressed optimism after the announcement of the imposition of a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the city starting May 16.

“Nailagay ang Maynila sa modified ECQ. Ibig sabihin magkakaron na tayo ng pagkakataon at unti-unting mag-normalize na ang mga negosyo at buhay natin. It’s a welcome development for the city of Manila as the center of commerce ng Luzon kaya natutuwa tayo sa naging desisyon (Manila will be placed under the modified ECQ. This means that we will have the opportunity to normalize businesses as well as our lives. It’s a welcome development for the city of Manila as the center of commerce in the entire Luzon, and we are happy with the decision),” Domagoso said in an online presser.

While he earlier thumbed down the proposed extension of the ECQ saying that government resources are now depleting, he said the city is now in the process of doing post-ECQ lifting plan.

Among the preparations being undertaken is the building of more quarantine facilities, with the goal of having a 500-bed capacity, specifically intended for persons under investigation (PUI) awaiting their swab test results.

Aside from the Del Pan quarantine facility built four weeks ago, more facilities are being built including Araullo High School, San Andres Sports Complex, Patricia Sports Complex, Tondo Sports Complex, Dapitan Sports Complex and other schools.

Domagoso is also preparing for a possible increase in PUI cases once the city is placed under MECQ.

“Bilang pagpapaalala mga kababayan, mas dapat tayong maging maingat sa mga darating na araw dahil mas posibleng lumaki ang bilang at dami ng posibleng magkasakit sa ating mga kababayan (as a reminder, we have to be extra careful in the coming days because of the possibility of the increase in the numbers of those who might be infected),” he said.

Domagoso reiterated his call for Manileños to take care of themselves, stay at home and avoid unnecessary mingling, continue regular handwashing, wear face masks and practice social and physical distancing.

He said according to a recent data released by the Department of Health, 12 percent of those considered to be asymptomatic coronavirus disease carriers are found in Manila.

“Sa national statistics ng Covid-19, 12 percent po ng datos ng mga asymptomatic na nasa listahan ng DOH ay nasa lungsod ng Maynila, kaya lalo tayong dapat mag-ingat. Ang ibig sabihin po ng asymptomatic, ito po yung tipong mukhang malakas, mukhang normal pero carrier na po sila ng Covid-19 (In the national statistics of Covid-19, data shows that 12 percent of those found to be asymptomatic are in the city of Manila, so we should be more careful. Asymptomatic means that a person may look healthy and normal, but in reality, is already a Covid-19 carrier),” Domagoso said.

In the coming days, the city government of Manila is set to release more guidelines for the public under the MECQ, as the city continues to confront the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Hindi po ibig sabihin na modified na ang ECQ, hindi po ibig sabihin na na-lift na ang ECQ, hindi po ibig sabihin na GCQ na, hindi ibig sabihin na wala nang quarantine, okey na tayo, hindi po. Hangga’t walang cure, walang gamot sa Covid-19, we are always at risk. Individually or even the entire family. So be careful, extra careful (It doesn’t mean that if we are already under the modified ECQ, or if ECQ has been lifted or we are placed under GCQ, that there will be no quarantine anymore, that we are already okay, no. Until a cure or a medicine for Covid-19 is discovered, we are always at risk, individually or even the entire family. So be careful, extra careful),” he said.