Impose MECQ instead of ‘impractical’ ECQ in NCR Plus, says Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The national government should impose a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus Bubble instead of the “impractical” enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Senator Imee Marcos said Monday.

Marcos said she is against placing the NCR Plus Bubble—which includes Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan—under ECQ especially when the national government cannot support it.

In proposing for the imposition of MECQ instead of ECQ, Marcos cited the national government’s measly budget.

“Ako talaga, kontra ako sa ECQ na ganito. Sa totoo lang, wala na tayong kadala-dala sa ECQ. Isang taon na tayong ganito, ECQ, open-close, close-open. Bumaba ba yung infection? Hindi. Pagkat ang ECQ, kailangan pangatawanan mo,” Marcos told reporters in an interview.

(I am against an ECQ like this. We have not learned from ECQ, we have been like this for a year already. But did the infections drop? No. Because if you will impose ECQ, you should support it.)

“Para sa akin, mag-MECQ na tayo, please lang. Kasi yun lang ang abot-kaya ng ating palpak na healthcare system ng ating kakarampot na budget,” the senator added.

(For me, let’s just Impose MECQ, please. That’s what our faulty healthcare system and measly budget can support.)

Marcos said that in imposing ECQ, two things should be addressed—health of the public and healthcare workers, and social protection such as food subsidies and financial assistance.

If these needs are not addressed, an ECQ should not be imposed, said the senator.

“Para sa akin, MECQ at ibigay ang diskarte at discretion sa ating LGU (local government unit) heads na sila na ang gumawa ng highly-targeted, time-bound, very focused na localized lockdowns,” Marcos said.

(For me, just impose MECQ and give the LGU heads the discretion to implement highly-targeted, time-bound, and focused localized lockdowns.)

“Dapat yung dalawa in place, kapag hindi in place yan, wag na natin pilitin… So dapat MECQ. E talagang ‘di kakayanin ang ECQ, very impractical kahit i-extend ng i-extend yan. Gawin na nating MECQ lamang,” she added.

(Those two things should be in place because of not, we should not force an ECQ. Just Impose MECQ because we cannot support ECQ, it’s very impractical even if you extend it. We should just Impose MECQ.)

The Palace earlier announced that the NCR Plus Bubble would be placed under ECQ for another week from April 5 to April 11. The area was initially placed under ECQ from March 29 to April 4.