By MA. ANGELICA GARCIA, GMA News
Published February 17, 2021 11:38pm The OCTA Research Team on Wednesday warned of a surge in COVID-19 cases if President Rodrigo Duterte approved the National Economic Development Authority’s proposal to place the whole Philippines under the least stringent modified general community quarantine. In its latest report, OCTA indicated that the proposal for a nationwide shift to MGCQ starting on March 1 was particularly risky for Metro Manila because of the more contagious UK variant of the disease. [It] is not just risky, but also contrary to sensible epidemic management, OCTA said in its latest report. “If restrictions in NCR are relaxed to very loose levels, the region will be under a constant threat of a surge due to the increased mobility of people, reduced social distancing and diminished compliance with health protocols, as was observed at the outset of the December holidays,” it added.
Drilon: Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge to be left to next administration
With over one year left in the Duterte administration s term, the construction of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges will be left to the next administration, according to Ilonggo senator and Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon. There is simply no time. The Panay-Guimaras-Negros is an undelivered commitment to the people of three islands of Western Visayas - Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros. Its construction will be left to the next administration, said Drilon, who has been pushing for the immediate implementation of the 32.47-km bridges that will connect the three islands.
Drilon met with Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vince Dizon, who is President Duterte s adviser on flagship programs and projects, to discuss the status of PNG.
Placing entire Philippines under MGCQ, a costly risk —OCTA Research gmanetwork.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gmanetwork.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The government should wait for the COVID-19 vaccination program to start before considering further easing lockdown measures in the rest of the country, particularly in Metro Manila, a senator suggested.
Placing the entire country under MGCQ was one several measures that NEDA Director General Karl Chua said had been given the nod by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and that the NEDA was submitting to President Rodrigo Duterte for his approval.“Kailangan po nating mag-shift sa lalong madaling panahon sa MGCQ for the entire Philippines, sana starting March 1, 2021 para i-address po ‘yong hunger o yung mataas na antas ng mga Pilipinong nagugutom,” Chua said in Duterte's weekly televised briefing.