DILG to ease COVID-19 restrictions, policies

To slowly reopen the economy and cope with losses during the pandemic, the Department
of Interior and Local Government (DILG) sets to implement several adjustments to the COVID-19
guidelines in the country based on the newly released Resolution No. 79 by the Inter-Agency
Task Force (IATF).
In a press conference held by the University of the Philippines Community Broadcasters’
Society, Inc., October 17, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya stated that Filipinos age 15 to
65 are now allowed to go outside their homes, while also citing that Local Government Units
(LGUs) may regulate the age group within their respective areas depending on their local situation
in accordance to Resolution No. 79.
IATF approved the resolution as a result of the improving situation of COVID-19 in the
country, as the reproductive number of cases decreased to 0.88% and positivity rate in the
National Capital Region (NCR) lowered to 8.00% based on findings by the Department of Health
(DOH) and Octa Research Group. Moreover, the ease of restrictions sought to help recover the
government from economic losses during quarantine which was estimated at ₱19.5 B per week.
Malaya added that people outside the age group are still discouraged to go outside but in
cases of employment or purposes of accessing essential goods and services, they are permitted
to enter malls and establishments provided they present the necessary documents.
Aside from expanding the age group, the DILG Undersecretary also discussed plans by
the Metro Manila Council to shorten curfew hours from 10:00pm-5:00am to 12:00mn-4:00am;
however, he clarified that people should follow the current schedule until a new ordinance is
amended by the city council.
Regarding travel policies, Malaya stated that interzonal and intrazonal travel under
Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) is
permitted under ‘reasonable regulation’, though travel authority will remain until further
consultation of the LGUs.
He also mentioned that travels for any purpose outside the country are now allowed given
that the traveler: (1) provide a confirmed roundtrip ticket and health insurance, (2) sign a Bureau
of Immigration Declaration acknowledging the risks of travel, and (3) test negative on the antigen
test conducted by the airline prior to departure.
For areas under MGCQ, large gatherings such as cinemas, concerts, religious services,
sports events and work conferences are open for up to 50% of the seating capacity of the venue.
Furthermore, Malaya also opened the possibility for limited face-to-face classes for
colleges and universities under MGCQ complying to the Minimum Health Standards and
depending on the guidelines that will be provided by the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED).
Addressing Safety Concerns
According to Pulse Asia on adherence to Minimum Health Standards, although 97% of
Filipinos are concerned about COVID-19, only 71.0% perform handwashing, 55.0% wear face
masks, 33.0% practice social distancing, and 0.1% wear face shields when going outside their
homes.
 In addition, the DILG Undersecretary raised his concern for emerging hotspots in
Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Iligan City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur and Marawi City that
imposed granular lockdowns in certain barangays.
Following this, Malaya urged the public to adhere to minimum health standards as he
described as the only solution in order to contain cases of COVID-19 until a vaccine or cure has
been successfully found.
“Nanawagan po ang DILG na maging displinado sa mga panahon na ito. Disiplina po para
ligtas ang pamilya, ligtas ang bansa. Ang tunay na bida ang Pilipinong may disiplina,” he
underscored.
In relation to the low compliance of Filipinos to minimum health standards, the
Undersecretary also discussed the soft approaches such as Bida ang may Disiplina, Solusyon sa
COVID-19 and hard approach or law enforcement implemented by the government to instill
behavioral change in the public.
Riding the Downward Trend
The DILG Undersecretary stated that the country has flattened the curve based on two
criteria: the lower reproductive number of cases and the lower utilization of critical care resources
exemplified with isolation facilities reaching only 30% to 40% of maximum capacity along with the
continuous decrease in cases.
When asked about the contributions spearheaded by the DILG in lowering cases of
COVID-19, Malaya cited the DILG’s roles in contact tracing, distributing social amelioration aid,
and implementing contactless payments and permits in different barangays in the country.
Moreover, the Undersecretary highlighted the transparency of LGUs in information
dissemination in the disclosure of COVID-19 cases in their barangays as well as their utilization
of social media, visual cues and other practices to promote public health and remind people to
follow minimum health standards.
“Kung on a barangay level ang ating pagsugpo sa COVID-19, masisigurado po natin ang
kahandaan ng ating bansa if any outbreak happens in the community,” Malaya said.
In his final message, Malaya reiterated the need for Filipinos to sustain the positive trend
of the past few months, to be resilient, to keep a positive mind, and to protect their communities
by being ‘bida’ through discipline.
“At the end of the day, it will depend on the individual discipline and responsibility every
Filipino family. The frontline is not in the hospital but in the homes, where the parents and children
play a very important role in defeating this global pandemic,” he concluded.