NCR LGUs ready for Alert Level 1 —MMDA exec

The local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR) are ready to shift to Alert Level 1, an official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Tuesday.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, MMDA officer-in-charge and general manager Romando Artes said the NCR has been successful in implementing COVID-19 response programs.

“Kung paghahanda po ng mga LGUs ang pag-uusapan, handang-handa naman po lahat. Nakita naman po na ang NCR ang number 1 sa pandemic response …Kung sasabihin po na paghahanda, handang-handa naman po ang Kalakhang Maynila sa Alert Level 1,” he said.

(If we are talking about the preparation of the LGUs, all of them are ready. NCR is number 1 in implementing the government’s pandemic response. If we are talking about preparation, Metro Manila is ready for Alert Level 1.)

In a separate interview on ANC, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said he is in favor of shifting the NCR to Alert Level 1 starting March 1.

He said the Metro Manila Council, composed of 17 mayors, will meet Tuesday evening to discuss the possible shift to Alert Level 1.

“One major agenda really will be the possible shift to Alert Level 1,  which I am supporting. I would like to state this morning that I am supporting Alert Level 1,” Zamora said.

Earlier, Artes said the mayors will look into the data from the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force in making the recommendation.

He added they will consider the risk classification, health care utilization rate, and trend of COVID-19 cases.

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.—AOL, GMA News