FILE PHOTO: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is reimposing the number coding scheme in Metro Manila this week to lessen the volume of vehicles on Edsa, the capital’s main thoroughfare, and other major roads in the metropolis. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is seeking the public’s cooperation again in battling COVID-19, amid the possibility that Alert Level 2 will be raised over Metro Manila due to the uptick in infections.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad on Tuesday urged the public to impose self-discipline by being mindful of their activities and in observing health protocols, like wearing face masks and maintaining physical distance.
“The [NCRPO] remains on its stand to continuously observe and impose health standard protocols following the uptick of COVID-19 cases to 30% from June 6-12, 2022, last week,” Natividad said.
“We are mandated and obliged to enforce the laws and regulations of the duly constituted authorities accordingly. Thus, we solicit the cooperation of the public to be mindful and observe minimum health standard protocols, especially when in crowded places. Implement self-imposed discipline like wearing a face mask, and observance of social distancing at all times,” he added.
Natividad further said that they will support any decision made by authorities, as it would be best for the general public. He also asked people to bear with the possible increased restrictions to curb the growth of infections.
“Team NCRPO fully supports and respects decisions made by higher authorities for a possibility of alert level 2 in NCR especially when it concerns the welfare of the general public and its personnel,” he said.
“Further, please bear with us and your government. We assure you that we will keep our communities safe and protected at all times no matter what it takes,” he added.
Natividad’s statement came after the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday admitted that there is a possibility that Metro Manila will be placed under Alert Level 2 if the uptick in infections continues in the coming weeks.
Since March 1, NCR has been placed under Alert Level 1 — the lowest of the government’s alert systems — despite increased mobility brought by the summer vacations and the election season.
READ: Metro Manila may be put under Alert Level 2 due to uptick in COVID-19 cases
Earlier, analytics group Octa Research said COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila spiked to 53 percent last week — prompting research fellow Guido David to say that the increase has been ‘more concerning’ as previous weeks’ growth was only at around 10 percent.
The country has already endured several surges brought by the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of the COVID-19. However, experts fear that the subvariant of the Omicron — believed to be more transmissible than its already infectious parent — may lead to a rise in infections in the country.