MANILA, Philippines — Longer curfew hours will return, while pedicabs and tricycles will still be allowed in Manila as the national government placed Metro Manila and nearby areas under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), the city government said Tuesday.
In a public speech outside Manila City Hall, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said curfew hours will run from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the MECQ, which took effect on August 4 and will end on August 18.
“Muli natin ibinabalik ang curfew sa Maynila na alas otso ng gabi. Nung nag-GCQ (general community quarantine) naging alas dyis, Ngayong MECQ, babalik ng alas otso,” Moreno said.
(We will return curfew hours in Manila at 8 p.m. in the evening. During GCQ it was 10 p.m. Now during MECQ, it will return to 8 p.m.)
Moreno also announced that tricycles, e-tricycles, and pedicabs will continue to operate during the strict quarantine amid the suspension of public transportation.
“Aking pinapayagan ang lahat ng pedicab, e-trike at tricycle na makapaghanapbuhay sa panahon ng MECQ,” the mayor said.
(We will allow all pedicab, e-trike and tricycle to work during MECQ.)
However, he reminded three-wheeled drivers to follow health protocols such as wearing face masks and accommodating only one passenger.
“Kaya sa lahat ng kaanak niyo, maghanap buhay kayo sa tatlong gulong. Mayroon lang akong pakikisuyo: tuparin natin ang panawagan ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease). Hangga’t maaari, isang pasahero lang,” he said.
(All of your relatives may opt to work on the three-wheeled vehicle business. I just want to give a reminder, follow IATF’s call that only one passenger is allowed.)
MECQ was placed over Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan to heed the call of medical frontliners as COVID-19 cases continue to increase nationwide.