Senators see Duterte declaring modified ECQ beyond April 30

Senators see Duterte declaring modified ECQ beyond April 30

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce today, Thursday, April 23, whether to extend the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) after April 30 or introduce a modified version of the lock-down, the Palace said on Monday.

Senator Bong Go, in an interview with DZMM said that the president will meet with the country's pandemic task force on the same day.

The senator added that there is a possibility that the enhanced community quarantine will be modified.

Vicente Sotto III, Senate President also said in a radio interview that he is expecting and wanted to happen is a modified ECQ.

"Ang inaasahan ko at sana ay maging mangyari ay modified. Modified, meaning 'yung mga biggest hit na areas katulad ng NCR (National Capital Region), hindi puwedeng i-lift. Kailangang i-extend pero merong mga modification," said Sotto.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, in a separate interview with reporters, said she also opts for modified quarantine.

Hontiveros said the medical experts, composed of some lawmakers, former health secretaries, and other experts, will release a set of recommendations to the executive branch on Thursday.

Despite the many recommendations, the decision remains on Duterte's hands. Duterte usually addresses the nation in a pre-recorded message aired late night.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte will meet the IATF at 6pm today to discuss their recommendations for his decision of the Luzon quarantine.

Roque said he is not sure if the president will decide today as there may be more clarifications on the suggestions of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).