This Week in Metro Manila (October 3 to 9, 2020)

Metro Manila will remain in GCQ for the entire October as announced by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during a televised meeting with President Duterte last September 28. Besides Metro Manila, other areas under GCQ are Bacolod, Batangas, Iligan City, Iloilo City, and Tacloban City [1]. Lanao del Sur, including Marawi City, will be in modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Two of the Pasig River Ferry stations reopened last September 27. The Hulo and Sta. Ana stations reopened to accommodate passengers in Mandaluyong and Manila. The reopening of the two stations brings the total of operational stations to eight. Other open stations are Lawton, Escolta, Guadalupe, Valenzuela, Pinagbuhatan, and San Joaquin [2].

The ferry system has been servicing authorized persons outside residence (APORs), health workers, and government employees due to the lack of public transportation during the pandemic. Trips are free of charge from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM from Monday to Sunday for said employees as long as they present valid IDs. Passengers are required to follow the standard health protocols such as wearing of face shields and masks and physical distancing.

Twelve modified provincial bus routes started operations going to Metro Manila last September 30. The routes will be originating from provinces in Region 3 and Region 4A, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LRFRB) Memorandum Circular 2020-051. The modified provincial routes are as follows:

• San Fernando, Pampanga – Araneta Center Cubao

• Batangas City

• Lemery

• Lipa City

• Nasugbu

• Indang

• Mendez

• Tagaytay City

• Ternate

• Calamba City

• Siniloan

• Sta. Cruz

Tickets are only available for purchase online at least two days before the trip; purchasing tickets at the terminal is only allowed during emergencies. The bus routes are also prohibited from picking up and dropping off passengers between routes with the exception of designated terminals and stop-over points [3].

Bus drivers are allowed to ply the mentioned routes without special permits as long as they operate under a valid and existing franchise and have a registered personal passenger insurance policy. QR codes will be required to be displayed inside bus units. Operators and drivers are also reminded to monitor their body temperatures and to follow the standard health protocols. Buses that will violate the guidelines will be fined and may face penalties such as the suspension or cancellation of the Certificate of Public Convenience or Provisional Authority of the bus unit.

Taguig City local government opened its mega quarantine and testing facility last September 25. The facility, which is located at Lakeshore Complex in Barangay Lower Bicutan, is capable of conducting reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests through its molecular laboratory. The lab can also test pathogens that can affect animals and humans.

The quarantine facility has a 500-bed capacity and it will serve as an isolation facility for persons under investigation (PUI) and positive patients. All of the quarantine facility units are equipped with a bath, living room, toilet, and air-conditioning units. Student-made Robonurses will be used to care for patients [4].

The second molecular laboratory in Manila opened last September 29. The laboratory, which is located at Sta. Ana Hospital, is expected to conduct 1,000 swab tests a day. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said that testings are free, and in case of an increase in demand, the local government will pay for the cost.

This newly opened molecular laboratory was established through a partnership between the Ayala Group of Companies and the Manila local government. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) also provided the machines for the laboratory. The first molecular laboratory in Manila was also inaugurated in Sta. Ana Hospital in June.

The local government of Manila will provide free swab tests to workers in frequently visited establishments. On September 30, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno signed Executive Order No. 39 which states that employees of malls, hotels, supermarkets, markets, and drivers of public utility vehicles will receive free reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests [6]. This move is also a way to ease the worries of the public as the country tries to spur economic activities.

In addition to the testings, Domagoso also suggested the mandatory filling out of health declaration forms for contact tracing when people visit establishments that are covered by the Department of Tourism, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, Culture and Arts of Manila, and Manila Bureau of Permits and Licensing Office.

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.