Frontliners warn cases might surge due to downgrade
BY NOEL TALACAY and GERARD NAVAL
LOCAL government executives in Metro Manila have asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to downgrade the alert level system in the National Capital Region (NCR) to the least restrictive Alert Level 1 starting March 1.
The NCR is under Alert Level 2 until February 28. The government is expected to announce the new alert level in the region and in other regions in the country during the weekend.
Lawyer Romando Artes, officer-in-charge of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the recommendation is contained in MMDA Resolution No. 22-06 (series of 2022) which members of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved on Tuesday night.
The MMC, composed of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila, is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA.
“The Metro Manila Council has taken a uniform and united position to urge the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to place the NCR under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 status starting on 01 March 2022,” the resolution stated.
Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.
But even under this level, the wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing are still mandatory.
“The resolution was already sent to the IATF earlier today (Wednesday),” Artes said in a press briefing, adding that “the basis of the MMC to ease the restrictions in the region is to open up the economy to ensure job generation.”
Artes said that in agreeing to lift restrictions in the region, Metro mayors noted the region’s positivity rate of 4.64 percent, which is already below the 5 percent standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He added that the two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate in the region showed that out of the 17 local government units (LGUs) in the region, only one remains at moderate risk classification while the rest are already at low risk.
Health care utilization rate and bed utilization rate in the region, which are both at 24.8 percent, are also on a downward trend.
Metro Manila accounts for 32 percent of confirmed cases nationwide.
Artes assured the IATF that local chief executives of the NCR are ready and fully capable of implementing the prescribed health and safety protocols under the recommended Alert Level 1 status.
“Despite the conduct of political activities such as motorcades and caravans, no notable spike of COVID cases were recorded in the past two weeks,” he added.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, infectious disease expert and Vaccine Expert Panel member, said the NCR is ready to be downgraded to Alert Level 1 given its high vaccination rate and declining COVID-19 cases.
Solante, during the Laging Handa public briefing, noted that COVID indicators in the region are already on a downtrend.
“NCR looks like it is ready for Alert Level 1. I have no problem if we will now transition to Alert Level 1, especially in the NCR but the vaccination must continue, the health protocols must continue and the monitoring of cases,” he said.
Solante said the government is already preparing an “exit plan” from the COVID-19 pandemic or a possible transition to the new normal.
Without elaborating, he said that compared to two years ago when the first COVID case in the country was reported, the Philippines health care system is now more prepared to manage another surge in cases or other challenges that may happen in the future.
As of February 23, the country logged 1,534 new cases bringing the total COVID cases to 3.655 million.
MEDICAL FRONTLINERS
Medical frontliners yesterday expressed concern over the looming shift of the NCR to Alert Level 1, saying that the move may result to a spike in coronavirus infections.
“We hope that they (mayors) made the necessary preparations to ensure that everyone will be safe. The health community are one with everyone that we do not want another surge and another lockdown. If the LGUs are ill-prepared, best to delay downgrading alert level,” said Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) president Dr. Maricar Limpin.
“For the medical sector, including hospitals, it is indeed worrisome,” said Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) president Dr. Jose de Grano.
De Grano also said: “The campaign sorties during Alert Level 1 may become super spreaders. Strict implementation of the minimum health protocols should be strictly followed.”
Limpin said that should the IATF approve the MMC proposal, it is imperative for local officials to continuously remind the public on the need to get vaccinated, always wear face masks, practice hand hygiene at all times, avoid large gatherings, and staying isolated if with symptoms.
“These should be frequently communicated to the public by the LGUs,” said Limpin.
IATF
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the IATF is set to discuss the MMC recommendation during its meeting today.
Año said the IATF will consider the possible consequences of declaring Alert Level 1 in the NCR, especially in relation to the ongoing election campaign activities.
“Its consequent effect to election campaign activities shall also be tackled and considered,” said Año, adding: “We have yet to listen also from our health experts on the latest data analytics on the COVID-19 situation in the NCR.”
The PNP said it is prepared for a possible downgrade of NCR’s alert status, vowing policemen will continue to be on the streets to enforce minimum public health standards.
“The most lenient Alert Level 1 will open prospects for more economic activities by lifting some restrictions on venue capacities, but the minimum public health standard is still in effect,” said PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
Under Alert Level 1, all pre-pandemic economic activities will resume and there will be no restrictions as to the movement of people, though health protocols will still be in place.
“We have observed major improvements in our efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus as reflected in the decreased number of cases and hospital utilization rate with increased vaccination coverage. The situation is better now because of the discipline that the public is showing. We expect to observe the same attitude even if the health protocol will be relaxed,” Carlos said.
NUMBER CODING
Artos said the MMDA is studying the possibility of reimplementing the number coding scheme during the morning rush hours in Metro Manila.
“We are studying to widen the coverage of our modified number coding scheme from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. I have met with the district heads of our Traffic Discipline Office. Based on their assessment, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., light traffic situation is observed on major thoroughfares,” he added.
He said it is unlikely that the number coding scheme will be implemented for the whole day due to lack of public transportation.
The number coding scheme is currently implemented only during the rush hours 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and covered only private vehicles.
FOREIGN TRAVELERS
The Bureau of Immigration said visa-required foreign nationals who are parents or children of Filipinos may now enter the country without presenting an entry exemption document (EED) from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the policy is pursuant to the resolution issued by the IATF which amended a previous resolution that only exempted foreign spouses of Filipinos from securing an EED before entering the Philippines.
Morente said that while the said foreign travelers are no longer required to present EEDs upon arrival at the airports, they are still required to secure the appropriate visas from any of the Philippine embassies or consulates abroad.
He said the visas of these foreign parents or children of Filipino citizens should contain the notation, “Foreign Spouse/Parent/Child not covered by IATF Resolution 160-B; no EED Required.”
The DFA has earlier requested the BI to allow holders of visas with the said notation to enter the country without an EED. — With Jocelyn Montemayor, Victor Reyes and Ashzel Hachero