Senators find extension of ECQ to April 30 ‘reasonable,’ ‘justified’

The government's decision to extend the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine is acceptable, senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, said Tuesday.

"April 30 extension seems to be reasonable considering the fact that DOH [Department of Health] has no clear projection yet of how things are evolving. Better safe than sorry," Sotto said in a message to reporters.

"The extension is to solve the health concerns on the spread of the virus," he added.

However, he said the executive branch has to do something to improve the distribution of the emergency subsidy to the affected families.

Sotto is proposing to make use of the national identification system to solve the database issues.

"This amelioration program rolls out for two months and might extend to three. The national ID system has been there since over a year ago. Fast break nila, otherwise hanggang next month magulo pa rin," he said.

Senator Francis Tolentino also believes the reason for the extension of the enhanced community quarantine is valid.

"The forthcoming decision of the President is based on empirical data and augurs well with the Bayanihan Law which is valid for two months. We have to support the extension of the ECQ for the general welfare of society," Tolentino said in a separate message.

He, however, underscored that an "immediate economic recovery program" must be prepared too.

Senator Sonny Angara likewise favored the two-week extension.

"Lockdown extension to April 30 is justified. Testing can catch up, we can gauge public health situation," he said on Twitter, adding that basic needs must be delivered.

Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson maintained his position that the decision on whether to extend or lift the strict protocol is "best left to the health and economic clusters in the Cabinet" as it entails thorough study and projections for health and economy.

He, nevertheless, added that Congress "will not shirk from our responsibility to do our own research and recommend to the executive on how to move forward."

Earlier in the day, President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to extend the Luzon-wide quarantine until 11:59 p.m. of April 30.

Just last night, Duterte announced he was inclined to extend the Luzon-wide quarantine to April 30. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News