NCR mayors eyeing ease to Alert Level 1 if COVID-19 cases continue to decrease — MMDA

Metro Manila mayors may recommend to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) the downgrading of the alert status in the region if the COVID-19 cases continue to decrease, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, MMDA officer-in-charge and general manager Romando Artes said this recommendation may be possible “soon” once the NCR reaches the threshold for Alert Level 1 which is the lowest in the new alert level system.

The IATF earlier noted that Alert Level 1 is for areas with low COVID-19 case transmission, bed utilization rate, and intensive care unit utilization rate.

“Dito sa Kalakhang Maynila, meron na lang po tayo na, ang latest ay 1,271 new cases. Ito po ay patuloy na bumababa at ine-expect natin na bago matapos ang buwan na ito, bababa na ito sa 1,000 kaso araw-araw” he said.

(Here in Metro Manila, we have only recorded 1,271 new COVID-19 cases lately. This is continuously decreasing and we are expecting that before the month ends, the cases in NCR will be down to 1,000 per day.)

Currently, NCR is under Alert Level 2 from February 1 to 15.

Under Alert Level 2, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults and minors, even if unvaccinated, and 70% capacity outdoors.

Meanwhile, under Alert Level 1, except for those located in areas under granular lockdowns, all establishments, persons, or activities, are also allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it follows minimum health standards.

“Ang mga alkalde naman ng Kalakhang Maynila ay handa para sa pagbubukas muli ng mga iba't-ibang industriya at sektor dito sa Kalakhang Maynila,” he added.

(The NCR mayors are ready for the reopening of various industries and sectors in the region.)

Vaccine expert panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante, however, said on Monday that it is premature to put Metro Manila under Alert Level 1 after February 15, as the rate of transmission remained high despite the decreasing number of new cases daily.

‘Safe spaces’

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday also said the government will check “safe spaces” and hospital situations if the NCR can be shifted to Alert Level 1.

The Philippines on Monday recorded 6,835 additional coronavirus disease cases, increasing the total caseload to 3,616,387. 

New MMDA leadership

As the current MMDA officer-in-charge, Artes assured the public that he was trained by former MMDA chairperson Benhur Abalos before the latter resigned from his post and the tasks were also turned over to him.

“Sa totoo lang, sa loob ng mahigit isang taon lamang na panunungkulan niya sa MMDA, tinrain niya naman ako, tinuro niya ng magandang gawain para mas maging maayos ang ahensya, at nailatag naman niya ang programang dapat gawin,” he said.

(In fact, in just over a year of his tenure as MMDA chair, he trained me, he taught me how to make the agency better, and he also laid out the programs that need to be done.)

He added that he will continue the said programs, with priority given to the pediatric vaccination for aged five to 11 which started on Monday.

Abalos resigned from his post on Monday to devote his time to his task as national campaign manager of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who is running for president in the 2022 elections. — RSJ, GMA News