Imee Marcos frustrated over new IATF rules ‘one awful year’ into pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Monday expressed frustration over the additional restrictions imposed by the national government, saying the country seems to be in a worse situation than when the pandemic started.

“Nakakaloka, bakit naman dinadaan sa pagpalit ng pangalan para lang masabi na hindi tayo balik sa dati, from one horrific year…after one horrible year na naka-preso tayo sa bahay na walang kinikita, at lahat nine-nerbyos nang todo-todo,” Marcos said in an online interview with reporters.

(It’s crazy, why are we just changing the name of the lockdown just to say that we’re not reverting from one horrific, horrible year that we were confined in our houses, not earning money, and being anxious?)

“After one awful year, we’re back to square one, arguably worse, with almost 8,000 a day getting infected,” she added.

Marcos lamented the seemingly confusing terms being used by the government in implementing restrictions.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases resolution placing Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under the general community quarantine (GCQ) from Mar. 22 until April 4.

These areas will be under a “bubble.” Non-essential travel into and out of the “bubble” is not allowed during the enforcement of the GCQ but movement within these areas will not be restricted.

Additional guidelines that the government revived were barring religious gatherings, limiting dine-in restaurants, cafes, and establishments to delivery, take-out and outdoor dining, and a common curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. excluding workers.

Despite these measures, the Palace clarified that there will be no lockdown in these areas and that the government is only implementing a GCQ with “additional restrictions.”

“Dalang dala na ‘ko diyan e. At higit sa lahat, tayong lahat, dalang dala na, isang taon na,” Marcos went on.

(I am so tired of this. And most importantly, we are all tired of this; it’s been one year already.)

“Kung di ii-implement ng maayos yan, tapos yung mga LGU (local government unit) na naman ang pinagutusan e wag na nating pilitan ‘yan,” she added.

(If this is not implemented properly, and the LGUs are being ordered around, then let’s not force it.)

Instead of imposing such restrictions, Marcos said the government should focus on aggressive testing, contact tracing, and ensuring the availability of vaccines in the country.

“We still do not have the systems in place for thoroughgoing testing, comprehensive contact tracing and most of all, while we hear the rest of the world going back to normal e, na-vaccinate na silang lahat…wala pa rin tayong bakuna (they’re all being vaccinated but we still don’t have the vaccine),” she said.

“Ang tunay na solusyon balik sa dati: Testing, contact tracing, higit sa lahat, asan na ba yung mga bakuna?” she added.

(The true solution is just like before: testing, contact tracing, and most importantly, where are the vaccines?)

The government kicked off its vaccination program last Mar. 1 following the arrival of China’s donation of 600,000 doses of Sinovac’s vaccine.

Over 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, delivered through the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility, are also being used to vaccinate health workers.

The vaccines procured by the government has yet to arrive in the country.

Senators weigh in on new IATF rules

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the announcement of new IATF rules should be made in a way that would allow businesses to implement adjustments.

“I hope adjustments will be made depending on changing conditions. Next time they should make the announcement earlier to allow business to adjust their planned activities accordingly. In any case, continuing assessment is key. That’s how it works,” he said in a message to reporters.

Senator Sonny Angara, for his part, said the government was left with “little choice” as COVID-19 cases continue to surge.

“At this stage with close to 8000 cases a day and with our hospital [COVID-19] wings filling up again, we have little choice,” he said in a separate message.

“Nao-overwhelm na naman ang health system natin (Our health system is overwhelmed) unfortunately and we have to take steps to stop the rapid spread of the virus,” he added.

The Philippines logged 7,757 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, the third straight day that the country has recorded over 7,000 additional cases daily.

JE