Metro mayors to discuss ECQ extension to June 15

The Metro’s top policymaking body will discuss on Saturday the possibility of extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in all 17 cities and the remaining municipality to June 15.

This was according to Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who is also the chair of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) composed of the 17 chief executives in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The MMC is expected to forward its recommendation to the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on extending the ECQ in the metropolis as the mayors grapple with the consequences of lifting quarantine restrictions too early.

Olivarez was the first mayor to express his support for the ECQ extension, citing the current situation in San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati and Parañaque, which currently have the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita.

The ECQ in Metro Manila and other provinces was expected to be downgraded to general community quarantine after May 15.

But Olivarez said they would be backing the extension of the ECQ if health authorities deem the situation in NCR to be of “still dangerous magnitude.” —Krixia Subingsubing