MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire island of Luzon under an “enhanced community quarantine” against the fast-spreading coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), saying
the community quarantine was not enough to curb the “dangerous” illness.
“The problem (with community quarantine) is they continue to go out when our purpose is really to secure them in their homes,” Duterte said. “Mahirap itong COVID-19. Baka minanaliit niyo ang problema at sabay-sabay puputok ang mga kaso.”
“Maybe not as really a serious as the other medical crisis noon, we are put on notice that it is really dangerous for now,” he added. “There is danger. If you want to test the waters and end up getting sick… Ang sinasabi namin huwag munang lumabas ng bahay.”
Under the “enhanced community quarantine,” strict home quarantine will be implemented in all households, transportation will be suspended, provision for food and essential health services will be regulated and the presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be heightened.
Exempted from the declaration are frontline health workers, authorized medical officials, and those traveling to get basic necessities as well as for medical or humanitarian reasons.
Duterte appealed to companies to pay the 13th month or give half the salaries of workers even if they can’t show up for work, while he also appealed to business owners to give their workers’ salaries in midst of the community quarantine.
“This is not a matter of business, but a matter of helping one another,” Duterte said. “We want to do business, we want to make money…but there is no interaction now and there is no trade to speak of.”
The Chief Executive also assured the public that there will be enough food supply during the “enhanced community quarantine” as he tasked the barangay captain to provide the food to their constituents.
“This is a mandatory duty (for barangay captains). It does not have to have a law because the proclamation itself suggests that there is really a need for you to work with government,” Duterte said.
“The barangay captain should call a number, at least food, rice, and some ulam, pwede niyo ibigay para sa ating mga kababayan,” he added. “There will be no hunger in the coming weeks because there will be enough supply.”
President Duterte also said that mayors can issue executive orders to protect public health, public order, public safety to curb COVID-19 infections under a state of public health emergency.
“Remember, this is an emergency. And during an emergency, tumabi kayong lahat and give it to the people who are responsible for protecting the country, alleviating the suffering and enforcing public order,” Duterte said.
The Philippines has so far recorded 142 patients with COVID-19, including 12 fatalities, according to the Department of Heath./PN
