Cayetano bats for expansion of quarantine outside Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said he is “supportive” of expanding the community quarantine to Greater Metro Manila (GMA), which includes Bulacan, Cavite, and parts of Laguna, and Rizal.

Cayetano made the remark a few days after President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila under community quarantine as the country seeks means to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Right now, I am very supportive na gawing Mega Metro Manila na o Greater Metro Manila yung community quarantine (to impose the community quarantine in Mega Metro Manila and Greater Metro Manila) and everyday we will be more strict,” Cayetano said.

House Minority leader Bienvenido Abante Jr. backed this since many of workers reside in Metro Manila’s neighbouring provinces.

Abante said that he, as well as other members of the minority bloc in the House, “are concerned that the long lines and crowds at NCR checkpoints currently set up to restrict entry into Metro Manila would defeat the purpose of the community quarantine: to contain the COVID-19 virus.”

“The long lines, as we can see, are unavoidable because a substantial segment of the populations of these nearby provinces work in Metro Manila as these towns––like Cainta, Rizal, for example––are right next to NCR cities,” Abante said.

“By expanding the coverage of the community quarantine to include the GMA, we can better allocate our military and police personnel and reduce the crowds and traffic jams we now see at our checkpoints,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cayetano said the House of Representatives is in support of the current placement of Metro Manila under community quarantine.

“The 18th Congress, House of the People, support community quarantine and urge people to do their patriotic duty and be responsible by abiding by the guidelines,” Cayetano said.

“We commend those cities and municipalities who have been proactive in dealing with their local communities. Best practices from Singapore, Macau show the smallest populations are more manageable,” he added.

EDV