2 Ilocos, Pangasinan towns under MECQ

MANILA, Philippines — Santa town in Ilocos Sur and Mangaldan in Pangasinan have been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until Sept. 28.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued an executive order on the stricter community quarantine, citing the 115 active cases recorded in Santa on Monday.

“Using various indicators like case doubling of the disease and other health indicators, economic and social security, there is a need to reclassify the present status of the municipality in order to have more stringent quarantine measures,” the EO read.

Singson said the municipal government could declare granular lockdowns if the need arises.

In Pangasinan, Mangaldan Mayor Mary Marilyn Lambino’s EO stated that the MECQ was effective starting yesterday.

The municipal government asked the provincial task force on COVID-19 to place the town under MECQ due to a spike in infections.

In Benguet, health authorities expressed concern over the rise in infections, with 230 new cases and three deaths recorded on Monday and 45 cases and one death on Tuesday.

The province has 589 active cases.

Provincial health officer Nora Ruiz said almost all their temporary treatment and monitoring facilities as well as the Benguet General Hospital are at full capacity. She said some patients are being treated in ambulances.