MikeLigalig.com

ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has expressed support for the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), saying the provincial government would heed the national government’s latest directives to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday extended anew the ECQ in Metro Manila and select areas that are considered at high risk for Covid-19. The proposed extension of the ECQ in Iloilo is “subject to re-checking.”

"We will follow the directives of the national government although it is clear to us that adjustments have to be made. If there are quarantine measures, three things should be sustained: the local government unit, hospital, and economy," Defensor said in an interview.

The province started to implement the ECQ last March 20. It was supposed to end on April 14 but was extended up to April 30.

Before the President's second extension of the ECQ, Defensor said he was planning to modify the quarantine after April 30 and change the general rule of closing all establishments except those that provide basic necessities.

He said those that would remain closed after April 30 will be establishments where the promotion of social distancing is very difficult and those that encourage crowding, such as cinemas.

Defensor also planned to revive the transportation sector, provided that social distancing protocols are observed.

However, with the recommendation of the IATF, the plans for the modified ECQ would not be implemented at the moment, he said.

"The adjustment that we have to make with ECQ will have to be based on what we need to do with the local economy. But again, we will follow the directives of the national government because it is correct," he said.

The extension of the ECQ will allow the province to sustain its efforts in the protection against Covid-19.

Defensor said quarantine measures had been effective in preventing inter-municipality transmission.

"All restrictions that we made, the ECQ, are effective in the province and the city of Iloilo. We will not relax because it is still premature. We don't want the Covid-19 to blow up here just like what happened in other places because if that happens, we will surely regret it," he said.

As of April 23, Iloilo has recorded the most number of Covid-19 cases in Western Visayas with 18. (PNA)

 



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