Unified LGU policies to cut risk of COVID-19 infection, says lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s COVID-19 task force should come up with a “single” policy for local government units (LGUs) to cut the risk of novel coronavirus infection and eliminate confusion among the public and business owners, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stressed.

“(Metro Manila) is one single organism. Many work in Valenzuela, but live in San Juan or (Quezon City). The MECQ created uneven policies among LGU that will increase risk of infection,” Gatchalian said on Twitter on Monday.

He cited the different policies being implemented by LGUs, like the lifting of their respective liquor bans and the mandatory rapid testing for employees.

“(M)ay LGU na pwede na mag inuman, may LGU na mandated ang rapid test sa manggagawa, may LGU na sa ECQ,” he added.

(There are LGUs that have lifted their liquor ban, there are LGUs that mandate rapid testing for employees, there are LGUs that are under an ECQ).

MM is one single organism. Many work in Valenzuela, but live in San Juan or QC. The MECQ created uneven policies among LGU that will in crease risk of infection – may LGU na pwede na mag inuman, may LGU na mandated ang rapid test sa manggagawa, may LGU na sa ECQ.

— Sherwin Gatchalian (@stgatchalian) May 17, 2020

Aside from Metro Manila, Laguna and several other Luzon provinces are also under an MECQ while Cebu City and Mandaue City were placed under an ECQ.

The ECQ imposes a “strict home quarantine” for all households, the suspension of mass transportationsystems, regulated provision for food and essential health services and “heightened presence” of police and soldiers to enforce the quarantine.

Meanwhile, under the MECQ, all businesses that were allowed to open under a general community quarantine will also be allowed to operate at a 50 percent capacity.

“The IAFT (Inter-agency task Force) should have one single policy for LGUs to comply with. Para hindi rin malito ang tao at mga negosyo at ang concentration pa rin ay pag laban sa COVID (So that we don’t create confusion among the public and businesses and the concentration would really be on combating COVID-19),” the senator went on.

The IAFT should have one single policy for LGU to comply with. Para hindi rin malito ang tao at mga negosyo at ang concentration pa rin ay pag laban sa COVID.

— Sherwin Gatchalian (@stgatchalian) May 17, 2020

To date, Philippine health officials have so far confirmed 12,513 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Two thousand six hundred thirty five patients have so far recovered while 824 others have died.

GSG