MANILA, Philippines — The national government should listen to “very cautious” mayors of Metro Manila on the shift to a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) during the holiday season, Vice President Leni Robredo said.
In her radio program on Sunday, Robredo said local officials know the situation on the ground.
“Para sa akin mas dapat pakinggan iyong mga local officials kasi sila iyong nakakaalam kung ano iyong sitwasyon on the ground kasi iba-iba iyong mga—hindi puwedeng one-size-fits-all,” Robredo said.
“Iyong mga lugar na iyong mga local officials na palagay nila mataas pa iyong community transmission, para sa akin kailangan silang pakinggan, eh, kasi sila rin iyong mahihirapan kapag hindi sila pinakinggan,” the vice president added.
National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said Metro Manila mayors have recommended that the easing up of restrictions be implemented next year after the holidays.
Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City, and Lanao del Sur were placed under GCQ for the entire month of November while the rest of the country remained under MGCQ.
As of November 29, there are 429,864 COVID-19 cases in the country, of which 398,624 have recovered while the death toll is at 8,373.