9 of 17 Metro Manila Mayors Favor Shift to MGCQ

Nine out of 17 Metro Manila mayors are in favor of easing COVID-19 restrictions in the capital region to modified general community quarantine or MGCQ by March, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said Thursday.

The eight other mayors voted to retain the general community quarantine in Metro Manila during a meeting Wednesday night, Tiangco said.

"After the explanation and the questions of the mayors kagabi, doon na nagbotohan," he said in an interview with DZBB.

 "Ang total ng GCQ is eight, ang total ng MGCQ is nine," he added.

Tiangco said the mayors were asked to choose between MGCQ and GCQ wherein those aged 15-65 would be allowed to go out of their homes.

The vote will be the official recommendation of the Metro Manila Council to the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 response, which formulates guidelines on community quarantines, Tiangco said.

Unlike other regions, Metro Manila adopts a single community quarantine classification. For February, it is under GCQ.

The National Economic Development Authority earlier urged President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Philippines under a nationwide MGCQ to address hunger.

The NEDA also recommended expanding public transportation to 75% of a vehicle's capacity from the prevailing 50%. More people should also be allowed to go out of their homes to boost consumer spending according to the agency.

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