IATF OKs proposed nationwide MGCQ by March, Duterte to decide next week

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has agreed to place the whole country under the less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) but President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to decide on the matter on Monday next week, Malacañang said Friday.

“Nagkasundo na ‘yung IATF na nagrekomenda sa ating Presidente na magkaroon na ng MGCQ sa buong Pilipinas at ang mga alkalde sa Metro Manila,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a morning TV show over PTV-4.

(IATF and Metro Manila mayors have already agreed on the proposal to shift the country to MGCQ.)

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte  (PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

“So inaasahan naman natin dahil mayroon nang ganitong kasunduan sa panig ng IATF at Metro Manila mayors ay baka naman po sumang-ayon na ang Presidente,” he added.

(With this concurrence, we are expecting that the President will also approve of the proposal.)

Roque said he may announce the President’s decision on the transition MGCQ before the end of February.

“Magkakaroon po ng desisyon ang ating Presidente nitong Lunes, bagamat ito ay ianunsyo ko bago matapos ang buwan ng Pebrero.”

(The President will have a decision next Monday, and I may announce it before the end of February.)

Roque made the announcement following the news that Metro Manila mayors would recommend the transition to MGCQ by March.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier proposed to place the country under MGCQ by March.

Acting NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua

Malacañang earlier expressed support for the proposal to shift the country to MGCQ by March, emphasizing the need to address hunger and poverty problems.

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