NCR mayors ‘united’ in gradual easing of restrictions — Mayor Binay

THREE IS A CROWD A woman, a kitten and a gaggle of residents queuing for financial assistance make up the scene at a covered court in Tondo, Manila, on Sunday, even as the government announces less restrictions for Metro Manila and its four neighboring provinces. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City Mayor Abby Binay said Wednesday that the Metro Manila Mayors are “united in a position” to gradually relax restrictions in the National Capital Region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are united in a position na magiging gradual ’yung opening (that the opening will be gradual) and I think that position will be acceptable to DOH (Department of Health) as well as the economic team of the president,”  said Binay in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual media forum.

Binay, however, clarified that mayors have not yet given a final recommendation, as the Metro Manila Council is only set to convene this Wednesday night to discuss recommendations regarding quarantine protocols and classifications.

The mayor, poking fun at the many varieties of community quarantine types, also added that whatever the classification, certain protocols would still remain.

“Kung ano mang ‘Q’ (quarantine status) yan, hindi pa rin tayo kagaya ng dati. May curfew pa din, merong number of capacity, may social distancing, may mask, ’yun naman ang consistent,” Binay said.

(Whatever ‘Q’ we end up with, certain protocols would still remain. We would still have curfew, limited number of capacity, social distancing, and masks, those protocols have always been consistent.)

Binay, however, explained that no matter what the recommendation is, all will still depend on President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision.

“Kumbaga kami recommendatory lang. Pinakikinggan kami, pero hindi ibig sabihin kung ano ‘yung sinabi namin, ‘yun ang masusunod,” she explained. “Ang nagdedesisyon pa rin, ay si Presidente.”

(What we are is just recommendatory. They listen to us but that doesn’t mean what we say will be followed… It is still the president who decides.)

The so-called NCR Plus, comprising of Metro Manila and adjacent provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and Laguna, is currently placed under modified enhanced community quarantine until May 14.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will make the announcement on new quarantine classifications before May 15.

Meanwhile, the DOH said that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections has reached 1,113,547 on Tuesday, while active cases currently stand at 56,752.

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