The National Capital Region remains on Alert Level 2 from December 1 to December 15, said Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles last Monday, November 29, 2021.
In a statement released by Sec. Nograles, he stated that the Metro Manila will still be under Alert Level 2 as per recommendation and approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Prior to the decision, the government is eyeing to place Metro Manila under a relaxed Alert Level 1 if the government can sustain its fight for COVID-19 by December.
Aside from Metro Manila, other places included in the master list for Alert Level 2 are the following.
Cordillera Administrative Region
Benguet
Abra
Kalinga
Baguio City
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Region I
Dagupan City
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Norte
La Union
Pangasinan
Region II
Batanes
Cagayan
Isabela
Nueva Vizcaya
Quirino
City of Santiago
Region III
Angeles City
Aurora
Bataan
Bulacan
Nueva Ecija
Olongapo City
Pampanga
Zambales
Tarlac
Region IV-A
Cavite
Laguna
Batangas
Rizal
Quezon
Lucena City
Region IV-B
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Puerto Princesa City
Marinduque
Romblon
Palawan
Region V
Albay
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Catanduanes
Sorsogon
Masbate
Naga City
Region VI
Aklan
Antique
Bacolod City
Capiz
Guimaras
Iloilo
Iloilo City
Negros Occidental
Region VII
Bohol
Cebu
Cebu City
Lapu-Lapu City
Mandaue City
Negros Oriental
Siquijor
Region VIII
Biliran
Eastern Samar
Leyte
Northern Samar
Ormoc City
Southern Leyte
Tacloban City
Western Samar
Region IX
City of Isabela
Zamboanga City
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay
Region X
Bukidnon
Cagayan de Oro City
Camiguin
Iligan City
Lanao del Norte
Misamis Occidental
Misamis Oriental
Region XI
Davao City
Davao del Norte
Davao de Oro
Davao del Sur
Davao Occidental
Davao Oriental
Region XII
General Santos City
North Cotabato
Sarangani
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Region XIII
Butuan City
Surigao del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Surigao del Sur
Dinagat Islands
Agusan del Norte
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Basilan
Cotabato City
Tawi-Tawi
Sulu, Lanao del Sur
Maguindanao
On the other hand, Apayao is the lone province under Alert Level 3, according to Secretary Nograles.
Alert Level 1 is not “feasible” yet
In a televised briefing last November 30, 2021, the government admitted that it is not yet ready to declare
Alert Level 1 in any part of the country, including Metro Manila.
According to Secretary Nograles during the press briefing, they are finalizing the parameters needed to be considered before qualifying to Alert Level 1.
“Sa ngayon meron pa kaming tini-tweak at fina-finalize na mga parameters. Right now, hindi tayo handa na mag-declare ng any alert level 1," stated by Sec. Nograles.
Last Monday, the government declared that many parts of the country would remain under Alert Level 2 except for Apayao raised under Alert Level 3.
However, chances of being lowered to Alert Level 1 during the Christmas Holidays depend on the situations such as the average daily attack rate, two-week growth rate, and healthcare utilization rate.
Currently, the government is monitoring the possible entry of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, which triggered the sudden rise of COVID-19 cases in South Africa.
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