Last Thursday, March 12, President Rodrigo Duterte announced in a televised address that Code Red, sublevel 2 was in effect over the National Capital Region (NCR) after a number of COVID-19 cases were being reported within the region. To combat the threat, provisions from Joint Resolution No. 11, a document prepared by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, were put into effect, to hopefully deter the spread.
But instead of producing a more understandable set of guidelines, local government units and government agencies frantically tried to sort out actual quarantine measures in a series of meetings and press conferences over the weekend. The community quarantine over the National Capital Region (NCR) began on March 15 and will run until April 14.
Food, supply situation
The announcement of the quarantine triggered sprees of panic buying and hoarding across Metro Manila, with shortages of food and sanitary supplies such as alcohol being reported in various stores. But Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez allayed such fears in a news briefing, assuring that supply lines to the NCR will remain open.
The DTI had earlier issued a 60-day price freeze last Tuesday, March 10, on all basic necessities. Lopez also railed against consumers trying to hoard alcohol and other medical supplies, calling on supermarkets to strictly limit the sale of alcohol to two bottles.
Filipinos need not to worry about the food supply, said Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar, who assured that the supply in Metro Manila is sufficient. Apart from having a national rice reserve worth nine months, Dar shared that the DA has secured commitments from the private sector and its regional offices to supply enough food to Metro Manila residents.
Travel restrictions
Although the resolution produced by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases mandated a ban on land, air, and sea travel in and out of Metro Manila from March 15 to April 14, international flights will continue at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The news of the impending quarantine caused many Metro Manila residents to try to leave the region before the borders close down. Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary (DILG) Eduardo Año clarified that Metro Manila workers residing outside the region will be allowed to pass through the cordon, as long as they can present a company ID or proof of employment. Authorities had also earlier asked private companies to provide a work from home arrangement for employees to minimize travel concerns.
Under the quarantine measures, land traffic is now only restricted to checkpoints scattered along the northern and southern borders of Metro Manila. Vehicles passing through the checkpoints will be flagged down by authorities who will check the temperature and identifying documents of travelers. Checkpoints are currently located along Caloocan City, Quezon City, Marikina City, Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Muntinlupa City, Parañaque City, Pasig City, and Las Piñas City.
Transport service Grab suspended its carpool services but kept its other passenger services in operation. Motor taxi service Angkas had also suspended its passenger services but announced that it will still maintain its delivery services.
Rail lines were also ordered to continue their operations, albeit with “social distancing” measures in place. Instead of the usual packed train cars, passengers were advised to stay one meter apart.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya stated that these guidelines were implemented to prevent congestion that would aid disease spread or transmission.
Law enforcement, curfew
Control of the checkpoints on the NCR’s borders were left to the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the support of personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This came after a memorandum signed by PNP Director for Operations Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup declared the highest alert level status in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol Region. Police officers will not be allowed to take day offs and vacation leaves starting March 13 to respond to situations related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Despite fears of Martial Law-esque measures, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana clarified that the military has no say on lockdown rules. Sinas and Año, however, warned that quarantine violators will be arrested, but Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra explained that violators cannot be arrested, only “prevented from entering or exiting”.
Regardless, authorities pursued a strict curfew policy to control movement within the region. The Metro Manila Council unanimously passed a resolution last Saturday, March 14, detailing a curfew that would run from 8 pm to 5 am until the end of the quarantine. Only employees and emergency responders would be exempted from the curfew but will be asked for identification.
Authorities clarified that the resolution does not automatically impose a curfew but merely urged city councils to pass local ordinances that would implement the said curfew. As of press time, Pasig City, Manila City, and Makati City have signed ordinances to approve the curfew. Other cities like Marikina have yet to decide on a course of action.
Malls were also asked to temporarily cease operations for the entire duration of the quarantine, leaving only “essential” services such as supermarkets, groceries, pharmacies, and banks open. In compliance with the directive, Ayala Malls, SM Malls, and Robinsons Malls will be closing operations starting Monday, March 16. The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, pleaded that establishments such as restaurants and hotels be also allowed to operate “on a limited scale”.
As the first day of the community quarantine has rolled out today, March 15, Sinas said that some leniency is still granted by officers. But the entry of the first workweek under community quarantine will prove to be the real test of the quarantine measures.
Update: March 15, 2020. 11:40 pm
As of 11 pm, March 15, SM Malls and Robinsons Malls have announced that they will also close their Metro Manila malls.
