Metro Manila mayors have decided to implement shorter curfew hours starting this week as part of the government’s response to loosen restrictions despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia on Monday.
Garcia said the new curfew hours will be from 12 midnight to 4 a.m.
“In-adjust na natin ‘yung curfew ng 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. At ito po ay mangyayari itong linggong ito dahil aayusin pa po ‘yung mga ordinansa ng ating mga mayors,” Garcia said in a palace briefing.
However, Navotas is the only city that refused the adjustment and will still implement the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco explained that the city has bigger residential areas than industrial sites.
The new adjustment was deliberated by the Metro Manila mayors and some members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
Moreover, the new curfew hours may also be adjusted in December as the traditional Simbang Gabi is about to begin. They are considering adjusting the curfew hours until 3 a.m. starting December 1 to give way to churchgoers.
The adjusted curfew hours are part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to help revive the economy that took a heavy beating due to the lockdowns. RJ Espartinez