BY GENALYN KABILING, CHITO CHAVEZ
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MALACAÑANG yesterday fended off allegations that the government has imposed quarantine guidelines that favor the country’s rich and discriminate against the poor.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the government has “no bias” for a certain economic class in implementing the quarantine regulations, insisting that its main concern is protecting the health and safety of everyone.
“We are enforcing the rules on everyone rich or poor,” Roque said.
Roque was reacting to concerns about the alleged “pro-rich” quarantine rules imposed by the government across the country.
Even as more businesses and services are allowed to reopen in Metro Manila and two other high-risk areas under modified enhanced community quarantine starting today, the government has prohibited public transportation but allowed private vehicles on the road. Limited sports such as tennis and golf will also be allowed in other parts of the country under general community quarantine.
Roque, however, pointed out that all people can benefit from the latest rule allowing limited outdoor exercises such as running and biking.
“Well, we have allowed that in modified ECQ, jogging, running outside, and walking is now allowed. Now let me reiterate that golf is not allowed in MECQ, it is only allowed in GCQ areas,” Roque explained.
“So I think there is no bias as far as economic status is concerned because now we can all exercise outside. We can run, we can bike, and we can walk,” he added.
On the government’s decision allowing private vehicles but not mass transportation, Roque said there is actually a crackdown on unnecessary travel in quarantine areas. He said people are only allowed to leave their homes for essential work and services.
“We’re also cracking down on cars. If you do travel, you’ll find out that it takes long to travel because the queues in the checkpoints are very long so we are also cracking down on unnecessary travel,” he said.
“It is true that if you have a car, then you can go to the grocery but I think as far as shopping for essentials are concerned, ang maganda sa urban planning, there’s always an accessible store or market to wherever we live,” he added.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año yesterday urged the public to still observe quarantine protocols in the event the GCQ is shelved or the ECQ is downgraded to GCQ.
He stressed the call should be taken by the public very seriously, vowing to further press them to exercise extreme caution as the second wave or third wave of COVID-19 outbreak may prove to be more disastrous.
Año said the importance of the public’s social behavior and adherence to quarantine protocols are key factors to prevent the COVID-19 situation from getting out of hand.
He appealed to the public to exercise utmost restraint in dealing with the inconvenience while quarantine guidelines are strictly imposed.
Año insisted the new normal will require everyone to follow social distancing, wearing face masks, staying at home as much as possible, and proper hygiene.
