Some senators in favor of extending Luzon-wide lockdown

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

Some senators are in favor of extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) being implemented in Luzon due to the lingering threat of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the government should prioritize the health and safety of Filipinos in deciding whether or not to lift the ECQ.

“Have to study it well. Balance safety and economy. I agree with the thinking, ‘Life first, economy later’,” Sotto told reporters in a text message.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto also said the government should conduct the mass testing for all persons suspected of having COVID-19, as well as the the sick, before lifting the ECQ.

“Mass testing and isolation/quarantine to reduce infections. Thereafter, mass treatment. Only then can you relax [the] ECQ,” Recto said.

“How long? Depends on how fast government does its work and be ahead of the virus,” he added, appealing to concerned agencies to “act faster.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said with the planned mass testing on April 14, “we are left with no other choice but to extend the ECQ by at least two weeks.”

Echoing Recto, he said the mass testing of persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) “is the only way to determine if we are winning the war or not.”

“Without mass testing, we are totally blind. And when we are blind, the risk is higher of spreading the virus again, thereby wasting the 30-day EQC,” Gatchalian added.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said the increasing number of COVID-19-positive individuals “tells us that the pandemic is not yet over.”

Saying he also supports an extended quarantine period, he reiterated that the government should instead coordinate with the supply chain sector for their exemption, especially the food, manufacturing, and delivery sector.

“This is to ensure that we have sufficient supplies of food and basic necessities while we continue our quarantine,” Villanueva said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said he is likewise supportive of extending the Luzon-wide quarantine to April 30.

“We are only beginning to see data of symptoms post-quarantine. And I see some data that shows it is effective. But too early to tell. An extra two weeks would help,” Drilon said in a statement.

Like his colleagues, however, the opposition senator also pointed out the need to ensure a steady food supply and the free movement of essential goods and services.

He said the government could consider relaxing the quarantine rules between May 1 to May 31, to allow an unimpeded food and non-food supply chain movement, as well as “critical construction” of power plants and other key infrastructure. He also proposed the resumption of operations of some public transport, “but not jeepneys, only those where you can practice social distance (LRT, buses).”

“This way, more people have income,” Drilon said. “What is essential is more jobs and livelihood as well as access to food and supplies.”

At the same time, travel to and from Luzon is still prohibited, and no mall operations, church events, and other mass gatherings shall be allowed.

He said authorities may consider opening more food, retail and consumer services by June 1.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, acknowledged that it would be difficult to decide between flattening the COVID-19 curve and the economic impact of the continued inactivity.

He said it the decision should depend on authorities who have all the data to decide “which is the best course of action to take moving forward.” On the other hand, he said the government should decide “soon enough” to allow concerned sectors to prepare, “but not too late to make things worse.”

For his part, Sen. Francis Tolentino said “the decision should have empirical basis taking into consideration the health of the individual members of society as well as the health of the economy.”

“I leave that decision to the President. However, we should have an economic stimulus law to resuscitate the economy in the long term, which is likewise a job of Congress,” he noted.

Businessmen have been pushing for a “selective quarantine” in local government units wherein food manufacturing and agriculture operations, as well as limited public transportation, shall be allowed to resume while mass gatherings are still prohibited.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases is still finalizing the guidelines in deciding to lift or extend the ECQ, which will end on April 12.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/03/some-senators-in-favor-of-extending-luzon-wide-lockdown/