Duterte approval still needed for shift to Level 1

MANILA, Philippines — Even as Metro Manila meets the parameters for a shift to Alert Level 1, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said President Duterte’s approval is still needed for the de-escalation of alert level status in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Of course the approval of the President is needed because it is a major shift, from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1. So we still haven’t really finalized. We will know by Monday and the President may announce if he will approve or not the metrics for deescalation,” he said during the EDSA commemoration day rites yesterday.

The head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said that even if parameters are met, the readiness of local officials should still be gauged if they are prepared to combat another surge in transmission.

He noted that the inter-agency task force is finalizing metrics for the downgrading of NCR to Alert Level 1, and will depend on data analytics if these are met.

The proposal will then be brought to Duterte for approval.

Año said that Metro Manila has reached the vaccination target for its senior citizens and target population, and placed at very low risk the region’s daily attack rate, two-week growth rate and health care utilization.

The DILG chief added that campaign rules for the 2022 elections, if NCR does shift to Alert Level 1, are still being discussed to avoid super spreader events.

“For Alert Level 1, campaign activities are allowed at 70 percent capacity both indoor and outdoor. What will be discussed there by the IATF are the details, if for indoors, will it be for vaccinated only or not? We still haven’t finalized that,” Año added.