NCR mayors to recommend 'Alert Level 0' —MMDA exec

With Alert Level 1 set to expire on Tuesday, March 15, mayors in the National Capital Region (NCR) would recommend a shift to “Alert Level 0,” according to an official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, MMDA General Manager Frisco San Juan Jr. said the mayors have expressed readiness for a shift to Alert Level 0.

"Ang desisyon po ng Metro Manila mayors ay nakahanda ang buong Metro Manila sa pagbaba from 1 to 0. Puwede na po kami," he said.

(The decision of Metro Manila mayors is that the entire Metro Manila is ready to deescalate from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 0. We are ready.)

Asked if this will be the recommendation of NCR mayors to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, San Juan said, “Opo (Yes).”

The MMDA expects Alert Level 1 to be lifted in the NCR, according to San Juan. At around 5 p.m. this Tuesday, he said they will know the decision whether or not Alert Level 1 will be expanded.

San Juan said the NCR mayors will defer to the IATF's decision.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the government is studying the possibility of further easing the country's COVID-19 status to Alert Level 0.

Duque said the country recorded less than a thousand cases daily for six consecutive days while the NCR and 38 other areas are under the lowest level until March 15.

On Monday, the Philippines reported a total of 4,131 new COVID-19 cases from March 7 to March 13, 35% lower than the cases recorded the previous week.

According to the Department of Health, the daily average for the week was 590.  —KBK, GMA News