Doc Rivers speaks out on Michael Jordan-LeBron James GOAT debate

Rivers, who played against Jordan and has coached versus LeBron, told ESPN he’s always going to take Mike over the field until he sees someone better than His Airness, h/t Steve DelVecchio of Larry Brown Sports:

“I played against Michael Jordan and have always put Michael as No. 1, but that shouldn’t take anything away from LeBron James or Magic (Johnson) or Kareem (Abdul Jabar), who I think gets overlooked way too much as well … Kobe (Bryant) as well,” Rivers said.

“But Michael, to me, is the greatest player. He’s the GOAT. It’s OK that everyone measures themselves against him.”

Michael Jordan won six titles with the Chicago Bulls during the ’90s and went undefeated in the Finals. MJ also captured all six Finals MVPs.

LeBron James, meanwhile, has three titles and three Finals MVPs on his resumé. The King is also the only player in NBA history to rank in the top 10 all-time in both scoring and assists.

Jordan finished his legendary NBA career with averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. MJ won five regular-season MVP awards and 10 scoring titles during his run with the Bulls.

Moreover, he prevented a number of Hall of Fame players from winning championships.

LeBron’s 3-6 Finals record is mostly the reason why pundits have him behind Jordan in their all-time rankings. Otherwise, James’ career has been nearly perfect. He’s won four MVP trophies, made the All-Star team 16 years in a row and compiled averages of 27.1 points, 7.4 boards and 7.4 dimes.

Source: https://clutchpoints.com/nba-news-doc-rivers-speaks-out-on-michael-jordan-lebron-james-debate/?utm_source=mj&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=social&fbclid=IwAR0LUqFt5QJ9D4AXvZT8coh7gL4Ywr4xlGSlPb3il1S4AWHO1BCdORFThM8

President Duterte readying money to buy anti-COVID-19 vaccine

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte updates the nation on the government's efforts in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on May 19, 2020. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said he is seeking fund sources for the purchase of a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) once it becomes available.

“I’m looking for money to — balikan ko ulit dito kasi nag-usapan tayo ng pera na may pera ako pangbili ng vaccine just in case somebody else would beat the Moderna to the vaccine,” President Duterte said in a televised public address Tuesday.

“Many countries are on the verge of — lumalapit na sila, malapit na sila sa vaccine.
Naghahabulan. But from the — judging from the time the COVID started up to now, I’m sure that they have made a lot of progress in finding the vaccine. Nakahanap na sila. Kailangan may pera ako niyan kasi bili kaagad tayo.”

The President expressed concern over the possible source of fund especially after the government released billions in emergency subsidy to poor households to help them cope with the pandemic.

He said, however, that another option for the government is to borrow money for the purchase of anti-COVID-19 vaccine.

It was reported that Moderna Inc.’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine produced protective antibodies in a small group of healthy volunteers, giving promising early results.

The experimental vaccine is the first to be tested in the United States.

The vaccine being developed by Moderna is one of more than 100 under development intended to protect against the novel coronavirus that has so far infected more than 4.7 million people globally. The virus also killed over 317,000.

The US government has backed Moderna’s vaccine development initiatives granting the biotech company multi-million dollar support.

Similar efforts are being made around the world. In China, scientists there said they have been developing a drug that has the power to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to a stop.

Researchers said a drug being tested at China’s Peking University could not only shorten the recovery time for those infected, but even offer short-term immunity from the virus.

A Chinese health official said the country has five potential coronavirus vaccines at the human trial stage.

As countries grapple to contain COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that developing a vaccine could take 12 to 18 months. PND

Source: https://pcoo.gov.ph/news_releases/president-duterte-readying-money-to-buy-anti-covid-19-vaccine/

DILG spox: PNP now handles cash payout graft, corruption cases committed by barangays

CALOOCAN CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- Graft and corruption cases related to the handling of cash payouts under the social amelioration program (SAP) will now be investigated by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and no longer by the DILG field offices.

This was clarified by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya during the recent Laging Handa public briefing and said that DILG Secretary Eduardo Año was the one who decided to transfer the investigative legwork of corrupt practices made by barangay officials handling the SAP emergency relief cash assitance.

Since the CIDG has more investigators than the DILG field offices, Secretary Año decided to transfer the investigation to the PNP-CIDG field offices for the immediate filing of cases, Malaya said.

“Iyong mga tara, kaltas, splitting at pare-parehas ang pangalan ng nakatanggap ng SAP ay CIDG na ang mag-iimbestiga niyan. Ngunit kung mga violations of social distancing, tinolerate ni kapitan iyong tupada, nagkaroon ng parade o naging pabaya si kapitan sa mass gathering ‘yan po ang may show cause kasi administrative case ‘yan,” he added.

“Si Sec. Año will not tolerate a single instance of graft and corruption. ‘Pag may ‘tara’ (corruption system), may kaltas, merong splitting, pulis na po ang pupunta sa inyo at kung sakaling caught in the act kayo, aresto na po kayo kaagad,” he added.

The DILG spokesperson said that the public may participate in validating the list of beneficiaries of SAP in their communities by checking the list posted in barangay halls which is also a requirement for LGUs to get the 2nd tranche of SAP to be downloaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Iyong compliance ng mga barangay sa pagpaskil ay mataas, 97% ng lahat ng barangay pinaskil ang mga listahan ng kanilang mga benepisyaryo. Kaya nakikita ng mga kababayan natin kung sino ang tiwali dahil makikita mo sa listahan kung mayroong anomalya,” he said

Source: https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1042063

GCQ no longer the new normal: IATF-EID

MANILA – There can only be a “new normal” when areas in the country are no longer placed under community quarantine, according to the revised guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Areas, where no community quarantine is in place, can be considered as being under the new normal,” the omnibus guidelines on the community quarantine in the country read.

The IATF-EID earlier defined the general community quarantine (GCQ), a relaxed community quarantine imposed by the national government, as the so-called “new normal.”

Resolution 37 inked by IATF-EID on May 15 placed Cebu and Mandaue cities under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the most stringent community quarantine, from May 16 to 31.

Modified ECQ (MECQ) is imposed in Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva, Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and Angeles City until May 31.

All areas in the country where ECQ or MECQ are not imposed will be under GCQ.

Before an area can be deemed as being under the new normal, the community quarantine implemented there has to transition first into modified GCQ (MGCQ).

Mass gatherings

MGCQ is the most relaxed community quarantine implemented by the government because all individuals residing in areas under MGCQ can go outside their homes.

Individuals and group outdoor exercises, including non-contact sports like golf, tennis, table tennis, and swimming, will also be allowed, provided that minimum public health standards are strictly enforced.

Public gatherings in areas under MGCQ will also be allowed, as long as the venue or seating capacity in an event is limited to 50 percent.

This means movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, entertainment activities, community assemblies, religious gatherings, and non-essential work gatherings are now allowed in areas where MGCQ is implemented.

Dine-in service in food retail establishments like supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation stalls will also be allowed provided that the seating capacity may not exceed 50 percent.

Public, private transportation

Road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation in areas under MGCQ are also allowed to operate.

Passengers must strict one-meter distance and appropriate engineering controls must be in place.

The IATF-EID also authorized the use of private company shuttles, personal vehicles, bikes, and non-motorized vehicles in areas under MGCQ.

Classes, work

Residential or face-to-face classes may also be done in higher education institutions (HEIs), provided that there is strict compliance with minimum health standards, consultation with local government units, and compliance with guidelines set by Commission on Higher Education.

However, mass gatherings in HEIs are still prohibited.

Work in all public and private offices will also be allowed to resume physical work in “full capacity,” with alternative arrangements for senior citizens, individuals with health risks, and pregnant women.

Work in government offices may be at full operational capacity or under alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem appropriate, following the rules and regulations set by the Civil Service Commission.

Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may resume full operations.

All public and private construction projects will also be allowed, but with strict compliance with the Department of Public Works and Highways’ construction safety guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103044

PH actual testing capacity for Covid-19 up by 74%: Galvez

National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (Screengrab from RTVM)

MANILA – The country's actual testing capacity for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has risen by 74 percent, National Action Plan on Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said Thursday night.

He said the country can now accommodate up to 9,200 tests daily, from just 5,000 tests.

"Ang pagtaas ng testing capacity ay dahil sa pagdami ng ating accredited Covid-19 laboratories. Sa ngayon mayroon na tayong tatlumpung testing centers sa buong bansa (The rise on testing capacity is due to the increasing number of accredited Covid-19 laboratories. So far, we already have 30 testing centers nationwide)," Galvez said in a virtual press briefing.

He added that as of May 12, a total of 181,688 tests have been conducted on 166,470 individuals.

"Inaasahan po natin na mas lalawak pa po ang ating kapasidad sa pag-test kapag natapos na natin ang accreditation ng iba pang mga testing laboratories (we are expecting to extend our testing capacity after the accreditation of remaining testing laboratories)," he said.

The task force, he said, has been distributing rapid test kits to Davao Region, National Capital Region, Caraga, Laguna, Zamboanga City, and those areas that lack Covid-19 testing laboratories.

About 177,500 rapid test kits, he said, had already been distributed to various regions nationwide.

Meanwhile, Galvez urged the public for support and patience amid the ongoing efforts of the government to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, kami po ay humihingi ng inyong patuloy na suporta at pag-unawa sa ating pagharap sa krisis na ito (to our fellow citizens, we ask for your continued support and understanding as we deal with this crisis)," he said, adding that the government is doing its best to ensure the protection of the public against the coronavirus risks.

He said the government assures the safety of the public by providing a high quality of personal protective equipment (PPEs), medical supplies, and ensuring the provision of other health services.

The spirit of Bayanihan, he said, will also help the country to "win a successful battle against the coronavirus outbreak."

"The problem we are currently facing is something new and which no government in the entire world has a manual that states the actions that can be taken. The whole world is breaking new ground and we are all learning as we go," he said.

Galvez encouraged the public to cooperate with the government adopting the "new normal" as the modified enhanced community quarantine will be implemented in selected areas starting Saturday.

Source:https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102931
"And like the first-world countries that are trying to learn as they go, our actions may not be perfect or ideal, but we are doing our best to serve the people to solve the problems at hand, pouring our time, mind and heart to accomplish the mission entrusted to us,” he said. (PNA)

Palasyo, binigyang-diin na maliit lamang ang pinagkaiba ng Modified ECQ sa mismong ECQ

Binigyang-diin ng Palasyo na nananatiling Enhanced Community Quarantine ang Modified ECQ kaya’t walang rason para magpa-kampante ang publiko.

Ito ang sinabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque matapos ipasailalim sa Modified ECQ ang Metro Manila, Laguna at Cebu City, simula May 16 hanggang May 31, 2020.

Ayon sa kalihim, ang modified ECQ ay maituturing na transition phase patungong GCQ, dahil unti-unti aniyang bubuksan ang ekonomiya.  Suspendido pa rin ang lahat ng physical classes at limitado pa rin ang mga transporting services para sa mga essential goods at services.

Sa ilalim ng Modified ECQ, madaragdagan ang mga piling establisimyento na maaaring mag-operate, ngunit mananatiling hanggang 50% lamang ang maximum capacity ng operasyon ng mga ito.

Ayon kay Secretary Roque, ngayong araw isasapinal ng IATF ang listahan ng mga sektor o industriyang papayagang makabalik operasyon sa ilalim ng Modified ECQ.

Ayon naman kay Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire, bukas inaasahan ang pinal na listahan ng mga lugar na mapapabilang sa Modified ECQ.

Ang mga LGUs na kabilang sa Modified ECQ ang tutukoy sa mga barangay sa kanilang 

nasasakupan na may mataas na kaso ng COVID-19 upang mapanatili ang mga ito sa ilalim ng ECQ.

Source: http://www.radyopilipinas.ph/rp-one/articles/national/palasyo-binigyang-diin-na-maliit-lamang-ang-pinagkaiba-ng-modified-ecq-sa-mismong-ecq

Palace expects speedy recovery of PH economy

MANILA – Resuming the implementation of the national government’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure projects and easing the monetary policy would contribute to the faster recovery of the Philippine economy, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed optimism about the country’s economic recovery after the lifting of the community quarantine in some areas nationwide.

Roque made the statement after Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research, in its report released Monday, projected that the Philippine economy would fall into recession this year due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He said the Palace was not surprised by Fitch Solutions’ projection, as it already expects that the government’s implementation of quarantine protocols has hurt the country’s economy.

Roque, nevertheless, guaranteed that the government has already looked for ways to spur economic growth.

“Ang gobyerno naman po ay merong plano (The government has a plan),” he said. “Bababa po talaga ang ating ekonomiya pero tayo po ay tataas naman at inaasahan natin na mabilis ang ating pag-recover matapos po nitong mga quarantine (There will really be an economic slowdown but we expect our economy to recover fast after the quarantine).”

Fitch Solutions said it forecasts the Philippines’ full-year growth at -0.2 percent in 2020, lower than its May projection of 0.5 percent growth.

Roque said he expects a “V-shaped economic recovery” due to the strategies prepared by the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance.

A “V-shaped” economic recovery is characterized by a sharp decline in growth followed by a sharp recovery.

Roque said the “Build, Build, Build” program would help jumpstart the country’s economy.

“Unang-una po ay bubuksan natin ang ‘Build, Build, Build’ natin at ito po ay tinatawag na fiscal strategy, paggamit po ng national budget para po mag-create ng economic activities (We will resume the ‘Build, Build, Build’ operation. It is a fiscal strategy – using our national budget to create economic activities),” he said.

The national government is spending PHP1 trillion annually for the implementation of the “Build, Build, Build” program as it expects infrastructure projects to have a long-term economic effect.

Roque said the government would also relax the monetary policy to help the country’s economy recover faster.

“Binababa po natin ang interest rates. At saka yung mga liquidity requirements po ng mga bangko po ay ini-ease up po natin ang mga deposit requirement para mas marami po ang pera na umiikot sa ating ekonomiya (We lower the interest rates. We also ease up the banks’ liquidity, deposit requirements so more money would come in),” he said. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102625

More OFWs undergo swab testing at Palacio de Maynila

MANILA – Hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) lined up for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing Sunday at the Palacio de Maynila mega swabbing center along Roxas Boulevard.

They arrived aboard buses provided by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) following strict health protocols and will be tested by the medical team of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The Palacio de Maynila swabbing facility has 65 specimen collection booths. It started operations on Thursday.

“The government plans to increase the number of Covid-19 testing laboratories to a total of 78 by the end of the month. We expect this to ramp up the country’s testing capacity, hitting 30,000 daily tests by end-May,” national policy against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Secretary Vince Dizon said in a statement.

Dizon is also president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects.

Dizon added the immediate goal in the next few days is to swab up to 25,000 seafarers and land-based OFWs, as well as overseas Filipinos.

The setting up of swabbing centers is part of the Test, Trace and Treat (T3) strategy to strengthen the country's capacity in Covid-19 testing.

The other mega swabbing centers are the Enderun Tent in Taguig City, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and the Philippine Sports Stadium at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The government estimates to conduct a total of 5,000 tests per day once all four swabbing centers are operational. (PR)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102427

IATF-EID okays private schools‘ class opening in June: Palace

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will allow the resumption of classes in private schools in June so long as there would be no “face-to-face” interactions, Malacañang said on Saturday.

During the Laging Handa program aired on state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said face-to-face learning could only be done beginning August 24.

Roque, who is also acting as IATF-EID spokesperson, said private schools that intend to start in June may opt to hold virtual classes or homeschooling.

"Yung mga ilang pribadong paaralan na nais magsimula ng Hunyo, wala po iyang face-to-face interactions (For those private schools that want to open in June, there should be no face-to-face interactions),” he said. “Wala pa pong face-to-face hanggang Agosto 24, 2020 (Face-to-face learning is not allowed until August 24).”

Roque made the statement as he announced the IATF-EID’s decision to adopt the Department of Education’s (DepEd) basic education learning continuity plan amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis in the country.

The DepEd announced on Tuesday that the new school year would open in August, either through physical or virtual classes.

In its latest resolution, the IATF-EID agreed to schedule the formal opening of School Year 2020-2021 on August 24 and end on April 30 next year.

“Ayon po dito sa inaprubang resolusyon, ang pagbubukas po ng klase para sa basic education ay simula na po ng 24 ng Agosto 2020 at magtatapos ng Abril 30, 2021 (Based on the approved resolution, the opening of classes for basic education will begin on August 24, 2020 and will end on April 30, 2021),” he said.

Schools may adopt flexible learning options, such as face-to-face interactions, distance learning, and homeschooling, Roque said, adding that extracurricular activities like school sports, campus journalism, and job fairs, would be canceled to protect students against Covid-19.

Classes in public schools usually open in June every year while classes in private schools can start either in July or August as they are allowed to deviate from the school calendar prescribed by DepEd.

However, Republic Act 7977 or an Act Lengthening the School Calendar allows the school opening to be scheduled on the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102355

Filipinos satisfied with gov’t response to Covid-19 pandemic

MANILA – Filipinos have expressed satisfaction with the performance of President’s Rodrigo Duterte’s administration when it comes to handling the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, based on the “Global Crisis Perceptions” index released by insights firms Blackbox Research and Toluna.

The global poll, which was conducted from April 3 to 19, asked 12,500 adult respondents from 23 countries to rate their governments using four key indicators, which include national political leadership, corporate leadership, community, and media.

With an index score of 49, the Philippines ranked eighth in the list of 23 nations where citizens assessed their governments’ Covid-19 containment measures.

The survey showed that 45 percent of Filipinos rated “highly” the Duterte government’s efforts to combat Covid-19 while 37 percent also lauded the corporate leaders’ amid the health crisis in the country.

Thirty-six percent of Filipinos were also happy with the community’s help while 78 percent believed the national media has performed responsibly during the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a press statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace is elated by the poll results.

“The Palace welcomes the results of the Toluna Blackbox showing Filipinos are satisfied with the country’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic,” he said.

Topping the list of countries with the highest approval scores are China (86), Vietnam (77), United Arab Emirates (59), India (59), Malaysia (58), New Zealand (56), and Taiwan (50).

This was followed by the Philippines (49), Indonesia (48), Singapore (48), South Africa (47), Australia (43), Germany (41), the United States (41), Mexico (37), United Kingdom (37), Iran (36), Italy (36), Thailand (36), and South Korea (31).

Countries that lagged behind were Hong Kong (27), France (26), and Japan (16).

Roque acknowledged that the government needs the help of the private sector, the media, and the community to stop the further spread of Covid-19.

“Fighting Covid-19 is indeed a collective effort, as the survey indicated. Government cannot do it alone and we are therefore grateful to the private sector, the media, and the community in general for demonstrating the true Filipino bayanihan (teamwork) spirit in this extraordinary situation,” he said.

As of Thursday, Covid-19 infections in the Philippines have climbed to 10,343.

Around 1,618 Covid-19 patients have already recovered, while 685 individuals have died due to the highly-contagious disease.

Roque called for public cooperation to ensure the successful fight against Covid-19.

“Let us continue to show our solidarity with our people and cooperation with authorities, so together, we can truly heal as one nation,” he said.

Duterte has placed high-risk areas, including Metro Manila, under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15 in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.

General community quarantine (GCQ), which is less stringent than ECQ, is imposed in low-risk and moderate-risk areas. (PNA)


Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102277

IATF okays interim guidelines for workplaces, malls

MANILA – As more areas are now under general community quarantine (GCQ), the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved interim guidelines for workplaces to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a virtual presser on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF is pushing for alternative work arrangements, which include working-hour shifts, work from home schemes, and working on a rotational basis.

Roque said prolonged face-to-face interaction between workers and clients is discouraged and masks shall be worn at all times.

Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of participants and with short durations while video conferencing shall be used for lengthy discussions among workers, he added.

Roque noted that office tables should be arranged to maintain proper physical distancing. Barriers may be provided between tables.

Workstation layout should be designed to allow for unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors, or walkways, he added.

To maintain physical distancing, Roque said, the number of people inside an enclosed space, such as a room, store, or hall, shall be limited.

Elevator use should consider physical distancing and limit the number of persons to observe the one-meter physical distancing while the use of stairs should be encouraged, subject to physical distancing requirements.

If more than two stairways are accessible, one stairway may be used exclusively for going up and another for going down.

He said roving officers should be assigned to always ensure physical distancing and observance of minimum health protocols.

The online system shall be highly encouraged for clients needing assistance from offices, including the use of video conferencing, Roque said.

Mall, shopping center guidelines

Meanwhile, the IATF also approved guidelines on the operations of malls and shopping centers in areas declared under GCQ, he said.

Mall owners shall monitor foot traffic and enforce safe distancing by limiting the number of people inside to a density of not more than one person per 2 square meters; reducing the number of open entrances; assigning personnel in high-density areas; and standing on every other step of the escalator, Roque said.

They were also asked to mark or reduce the seats available for waiting; create a one-way flow to decongest queues and facilitate movement; increase police visibility; designate a centralized pickup location for delivery service providers; regulate air conditioning to 26°C, and turn off free Wi-Fi, he said.

Roque said mall owners should also suspend sale events, marketing events, and other promotions that tend to attract large crowds; and implement other measures necessary.

Since May 1, the GCQ, with relaxed quarantine measures, has been implemented in all low- and moderate-risk areas nationwide.

Metro Manila; Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo province; Cebu province; Bacolod City; and Davao City are still under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

The IATF-EID is authorized to declare, lift, or extend community quarantine in provinces, highly-urbanized cities, and independent component cities.

Provincial governors may also impose, lift, or extend the ECQ in independent component cities and municipalities upon the concurrence of the relevant regional counterpart body of the IATF-EID.

The task force will determine whether more areas can transition to GCQ before the ECQ 
lapses on May 15. (PNA)

Source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102164