Bacolod City also under MECQ until Sept. 30–Palace

Presidential Peace adviser and concurrent National Task Force COVID-19 Response Chief Implementor Carlito Galvez Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has approved placing Bacolod City to a stricter lockdown measure or modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Malacañang said.

The recommendation made by the National Task Force (NTF) on COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. was presented to the President during a televised meeting.

“Based on the recommendation of the NTF, with consultation of Bacolod City, the cases of Bacolod City are much higher than Iligan City which is also MECQ. We will recommend Bacolod City be placed under MECQ as recommended by the IATF,” Galvez said during the meeting.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a message to INQUIRER.net, confirmed the recommendation was already approved by the President.

According to IATF Resolution No. 69, it will take effect from September 8 to September 30, 2020.

Prior to the change in quarantine qualification, Bacolod City was under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Other areas under MECQ until September 30 are Lanao Del Sur and Iligan City.

Meanwhile, those under GCQ are Metro Manila, Bulacan, Batangas and Tacloban City. The rest of the country is under modified GCQ.

JPV