7 Ilocos Sur, Ifugao areas under MECQ

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — Six areas in Ilocos Sur and the capital town of Ifugao will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson extended the MECQ in Candon City and Suyo and placed Salcedo, Sta. Cruz and Suyo towns under the stricter quarantine status for two weeks starting yesterday.

On April 17, Sugpon and Alilem were reverted to MECQ until the end of this month.

Singson stressed the need to enforce stricter quarantine measures, saying the surge in infections overwhelmed their hospitals and quarantine facilities even as they face shortage of manpower.

Ilocos Sur logged 157 active cases on Wednesday.

Lagawe in Ifugao will revert to MECQ for one month starting today.

The town recorded 273 active cases yesterday, including Mayor Martin Habawel Jr. and his wife.

Mayor Gina Montilla-Lizares of Sipalay, Negros Occidental confirmed yesterday that she also contracted the virus.

She is the fifth mayor of the province to be infected.