President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to extend the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until the end of April is “reasonable” and justified, senators said.
The government earlier announced that the month-long ECQ, which was originally to end on April 13, was extended to April 30 to curb the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Better safe than sorry.”
“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,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
“The extension is to solve the health concerns on the spread of the virus,” Sotto said.
Other senators have agreed with Sotto’s view.
Senator Sonny Angara, who had just recently recovered from the disease, said the quarantine extension is “justified.”
“Testing can catch up, we can gauge the public health situation. Basic needs must be delivered,” Angara said.
Senator Francis Tolentino said President Duterte’s decision was based on empirical data and augurs well with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law, which he said is valid for two months.
“We have to support the extension of the ECQ for the general welfare of society. But hand in hand with the health measures, we should now prepare for an immediate economic recovery program as a pillar of societal resuscitation,” Tolentino stressed.
Minority Senator Risa Hontiveros also supported the quarantine extension.
“I am for the extension of the ECQ. Dahil sa April 14 pa lang magsisimula ang mass testing, dapat tuloy-tuloy ang ECQ kung gusto nating maging epektibo ito (Since mass testing will only start on April 14, the ECQ should be continued if we want it to be effective),” Hontiveros said.
“Lifting or modifying the ECQ should only be done if mass testing has already been done.”
The veteran legislator said lifting or modifying the ECQ should only be done if mass testing has already been done.
“Kailangan din na may sapat na proteksyon ang mga health workers at front-liners, at na-capacitate ang mga LGUs, mga barangay at mga tahanan (We should also assure that our health workers and front-liners have adequate protection, and LGUs, villages and individual homes have been capacitated),” the seasoned lawmaker said.