President Duterte last Monday night said he will lift the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine if the antibody against COVID-19 disease becomes available.
In his remarks during the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting, Duterte said he has read materials claiming that a pharmaceutical giant has developed an antibody against the dreaded disease that may come out in the market next month.
“I placed the condition there na kung nandiyan na yung antibody, available na sa market dito, and they are being sold in quantity, numbers, then maybe I am inclined to, maybe, at that time, lift the lockdown,” he said.
“Kung meron na ‘yan tapos makita ko na ginagamit ng tao, ili-lift ko. Tutal kung magkasakit kayo, may antibodies naman tayo mabili. Ngayon kung wala ka mabili, problema mo na ‘yan kasi tapos na yung,” he added.
Duterte, however, said the problem is that the Philippines is in the last ladder and rich countries were already trying to get hold of the antibody. He, however, said the Philippines may be prioritized if China would catch up with other countries and develop their own antibody.
Despite this, Duterte asked the public to continue cooperating with the government until the antibody reaches the Philippine market.
“Alam mo, ‘pag nagsama lang tayo, kaya natin ito. Kaunting panahon na lang. Alam ko igit na igit na kayo na makalumabas,” he said.
“With my assurance that when the antibody has passed the medical tests, it’s ready to be sold by May. Kung makita ko nandiyan at magkaroon kayo ng supply, then I am ready to lift the quarantine,” he added.
Luzon is under ECQ until April 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Argyll Geducos)
