Most Metro Manila mayors want GCQ retained

MANILA, Philippines — Majority of Metro Manila mayors want to retain the existing general community quarantine (GCQ) in the metropolis, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday.

“Most of the mayors in NCR (National Capital Region) still want to be placed under GCQ, but this will still depend on our discussions on Sunday,” Año told a press briefing of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 event in Taguig City.

Metro Manila mayors are scheduled to meet on Sept. 27 to discuss their recommendation on the GCQ in National Capital Region set to end on Sept. 30.

“It is difficult that we rush [to implement a new quarantine status] then suddenly we will regret it. There are two options: stricter MGCQ or less strict GCQ. If you look into this, it is better for us to be placed under GCQ even if it is less stringent, we have strict policies compared to a stricter MGCQ,” Año said.

“Of course the No. 1 concern of our mayors is the safety of their constituents,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier retained GCQ in Metro Manila while most of the country were under the most lenient modified GCQ.