INTERIOR Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday expressed support to the appeal of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, headed by Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr., to defer to November 1 the implementation of the alert level system in the provinces.
Año added the final decision will come from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases that was set to discuss the appeal later yesterday.
Last Wednesday, Velasco urged the IATF to defer the expansion of the alert level system to the provinces to give local chief executives time to craft executive orders and explain the system to their constituents.
“That’s going to be discussed by the IATF. That (decision) depends on the IATF,” said Año, a key member of the IATF.
Last Tuesday, the IATF announced the expansion of the alert level system, effective last Wednesday, in Negros Oriental and Davao Occidental (Alert Level 4); Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Siquijor, Davao del Norte and Davao City (Alert Level 3); Batangas, Quezon, Bohol, Cebu, Davao de Oro, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Lucena City, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City (Alert Level 2).
The system is based on the one being implemented in the National Capital Region. NCR shifted to the lower Alert Level 3 last Saturday, after a month of being under Alert Level 4.
“It’s okay to postpone it to November 1 because it’s just for several days, that’s okay,” Año said. “To me, the alert level system is good but it appears the LGUs are yet to fully understand (the system), that’s why they are hesitant in implementing it.”
He said the alert level system of quarantine allows more economic activities “and they are afraid there will be a surge (of COVID-19 cases) and they will have difficulty implementing granular lockdown because of the sudden change of system.”
“This alert level system has many details but the reward is that more people will be able to work. The only ones who will not be allowed to work are those in areas affected by community transmissions that will placed under granular lockdown,” said Año.
Año stressed the system “needs to be explained thoroughly so they (LGUs) can understand it,” adding the commitment of law enforcers in these areas is needed, especially in the implementation of granular lockdowns.
Año said the implementation of the system outside Metro Manila is part of “the timeline.
“If you remember, that was supposed to be implemented on September 16 when we had the pilot testing for Metro Manila and on October 1, it was supposed to be nationwide. But the schedule was pushed backed because we had to fine-tune it and we had to give the LGUs enough time to prepare,” he said.
He said people in Metro Manila are “relatively safe,” noting that 80 percent of the eligible population have been vaccinated against the virus.
“If there will be a rise (in cases) again, then we will have to make adjustments. That’s the way to go, we have to live now with the virus, that’s the important thing,” Año said.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, reacting to the LLP request, said the national government coordinated and consulted with officials of the provinces and cities participating in the pilot implementation of the alert level system outside Metro Manila.
Roque said not all local government units in the country or their umbrella organizations have been included in the meetings since the IATF is still pilot testing the latest Alert Level scheme that was initially tried in Metro Manila.
“The LGUs of all the regions and provinces that will implement the alert level system have been consulted,” Roque said.
Roque and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said minors are only allowed to go out of their homes if they are buying essentials such as food and medicine, or if they have their parents or guardians, who may either be fully vaccinated not, accompanying them.
Abalos said generally speaking, minors are still not allowed to go to malls unless they have an appointment with doctors or dentists, adding they are not allowed to go to parks unless it is for outdoor exercises and accompanied by their parents or guardians.
“The rule of thumb is this: think of your kids who are still unvaccinated. Think of your child who is very vulnerable, and kids should be protected. This is important. Let’s always maintain the minimum health protocols at, of course, the mask),” he said. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
