After initially rejecting calls to downgrade the restrictions in the National Capital Region Metro Manila mayors unanimously approved on Tuesday night, Feb, 22, a resolution that recommends to the national government the downgrading of COVID Alert in metropolis to Level 1 starting March 1.

In a resolution signed by the 17 NCR mayors and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Officer-In-Charge Romando Artes as chairperson of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), it stated three reasons why it was decided that the alert level was downgraded.

First, the NCR only accounts for 32 percent of the COVID cases nationwide, compared to past data showing that the bulk of the infection is in Metro Manila which was reinforced by the second reason which stated that the positivity rate in NCR is now only at 4.64 percent.

During its Feb. 13 meeting, the MMC decided to retain the Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila until the end of February. The major consideration then was that 12 of the 17 local government units are still under Moderate Risk Classification.

The MMC noted in its resolution issued on Wednesday, Feb. 23, that only one of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila is under Moderate Risk Classification. The rest are under the Low Risk Classification.

“The above data manifest a continuing improvement in the COVID-19 situation in NCR and, further considering the high vaccination rate in the Region’s target population, the Metro Manila Council has taken a uniform and united position to urge the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to place the NCR under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 Status starting on 01 March 2022,” the Resolution read.

It added that all local chief executives of Metro Manila are ready and fully capable of implementing the IATF-prescribed health and safety protocols under Alert Level 1 status.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Aaron Recuenco

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