This Week in Metro Manila (April 10 to 16, 2021)

Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal—collectively known as NCR Plus—are under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 11, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque announced last April 3 [1].

Authorities will use the extension for the enforcement of the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat and Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy, which will be utilized by LGUs in monitoring and isolating cases of COVID-19. Roque cited “door to door” method as part of the PDITR strategy. The NCR Plus area was previously placed under ECQ last March 29 until April 4.

Starting April 5, the MRT-3 and LRT trains have been operating under limited capacity since their personnel are continuously undergoing COVID-19 testing, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). MRT-3 will only dispatch 10 to 12 trains that have a capacity of 372 passengers per train set [2]. As an alternative, commuters can use the augmented bus service that can be found in North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, GMA Kamuning, Santolan, Ortigas, and Guadalupe.

Meanwhile, LRT-2 will only be deploying five trains. Passengers can ride buses under routes 9 and 10. As for LRT-1, only 17 trains will be dispatched. Affected commuters can take buses under route 17. As for the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the management announced that only 10 to 12 trains will be dispatched.

The Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) consular offices located in the NCR Plus area will remain closed during the ECQ extension, the DFA announced in an advisory last April 3. The consular offices that will be closed are the ones in Metro Manila, Antipolo, Dasmariñas, Malolos, and San Pablo [3].

Affected passport and authentication applications will be accommodated a week after the ECQ ends. An email will be sent to applicants which will indicate their new appointment schedule. The schedule is subject to change depending on whether the ECQ will be extended. Individuals with appointments are advised to visit https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/ for schedule updates.

The Landbank of the Philippines extended the waiving of its online fund transfer fees until June 30, 2021. This covers fund transfers made through PESONet, InstaPay, and Landbank’s mobile banking app.

According to Landbank President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo, the extension aims to urge clients to use cashless transactions during the pandemic. Aside from the temporary removal of transaction fees, Landbank of the Philippines also upgraded its features like cardless withdrawal, enhanced user interface, and registration of prepaid cards and Mastercard credit [4].

More vaccination sites will be erected in Taguig City, Mayor Lino Cayetano announced last April 3. Cayetano stated that the new vaccine sites will be in accessible and convenient locations. With safety and speed in mind, all facilities will be manned by trained personnel.

Last Maundy Thursday, a third vaccination site was inaugurated at the RP Cruz Elementary School in New Lower Bicutan. During the same day, almost a thousand senior citizens and persons with comorbidities were vaccinated in all of the city’s three vaccination sites.

Lawmakers warn the public against buying unregulated COVID-19 medicines from unauthorized sellers. According to Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, there has been an alarming number of non-approved COVID-19 medicines offered in e-commerce and social media sites. He also called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to monitor the distribution of different drugs that are being repurposed as a COVID-19 medicine without any verified proof from experts. An example of this is Lianhua Qingwen, a traditional Chinese medicine [6].

As for Ivermectin, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved its usage as long as it is distributed by authorized drugstores and outlets. Previously, the Dangerous Drugs Board has also delisted it as a dangerous substance; however, a prescription is required for its purchase. In the Philippines, Lianhua is only registered by the FDA as a respiratory illness medicine and not a cure for COVID-19.

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