Andronico Del Rosario
It’s [really] back to square one for Filipinos living in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna as the collective known as NCR Plus is placed under the strictest quarantine protocols—the infamous enhanced community quarantine or ECQ.
After messages started circulating on Friday, March 26, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) suggesting that NCR Plus, going under ECQ. The strictest ECQ was formally announced on Saturday, March 27.
"NCR PLUS" IS BACK TO ECQ ⚠️
Pres. Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the "NCR Plus Bubble" areas would be placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March 29 (Monday) to April 4, 2021. Details to follow. Stay safe!
P.S. This is NOT a 2020 throwback post. pic.twitter.com/DRCpSkaTu2
— Earth Shaker PH (@earthshakerph) March 27, 2021
According to Roque, it will be as strict as the ECQ implemented in 2020, but with a few caveats. Public transportation is available without the need for quarantine passes.
Back to ECQ >Notes from Harry Roque's interview today, March 27 as of 7PM pic.twitter.com/Wo1hpxvxX3
— Maui Avarez (@mariadcaj) March 27, 2021
Netizens are hitting the Duterte administration once more for its inability to contain the virus, especially after Roque said, “It was not the government’s fault that the virus mutated.”
going back to ECQ is a proof that we're not doing great, roque. pic.twitter.com/EB1zzwqx1B
— izmir (@mqzangeloxx) March 27, 2021
Roque be like: We have an EXCELLENT COVID-19 response.
And now we’re back to ECQ. #DutertePalpak #DuterteResign pic.twitter.com/0iR5XS2WkC
— Guam Partosa (@guampartosa) March 27, 2021
Alam niyo if it were Leni Robredo pleading with us to bear this lockdown and that we were led by the best public health officials and social workers, I won't even mind chipping in for the ayuda.
But when you see Roque, of all the people, announcing this ECQ, ay putangina talaga.
— Mugen (@tr1pnaut1k) March 27, 2021
A year ago, less than 500 cases and we closed our borders to ECQ. Now we breached the highest case and who we got — DUTERTE, DUQUE and ROQUE pa din.
A year ago (ECQ). Today, (NCR PLUS) pic.twitter.com/yRfmIwhD5o
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) March 22, 2021
Some, however, have taken the classic Filipino route and have criticized the government with a very modern approach: memes and trends.
From the classic Judy Ann Santos video…
Govt's plan against covid after a year:#DuterteResign #DutertePalpak #OustDuterteNOW
Back to ECQ Season 2 pic.twitter.com/gTrH3jMiQ6— Jonas Sulit (@comeletsjonas) March 27, 2021
… to The Simpsons…
https://twitter.com/sheril_artllr/status/1375756673852174340
… and the “revival” of trends like the Dalgona coffee.
https://twitter.com/airiesun/status/1376436168384897025
ube cheese pandesal…
ECQ Season 2? We’ve got you covered! #BrightenYourMood with
Ube Cheesecake Milk Tea 💕‘Coz the only bubble that we like is BOBBA(le) on our cup 🤪 pic.twitter.com/DdrlMaQlfl
— Cha Tuk Chak Official (@chatukchakph) March 29, 2021
and others like get-fit-at-home programs.
Back to ECQ Season 2 starter pack: pic.twitter.com/SJl4A481CN
— ً (@diorgwaii) March 27, 2021
Some have even brought up the recent issue between content creator couple Jelai Andres and Jon Gutierrez.
https://twitter.com/jnnlyndhn/status/1376035920848199682
Some, though, seem to just be too exasperated and simply shared images of how different the 2020 ECQ was from 2021.
'ECQ SEASON 2'
Last year, the government placed the entire Luzon island under 'enhanced community quarantine,' a relatively new term in the Filipino lexicon. At the time, there were only 140 outstanding cases. pic.twitter.com/OFsmayHDKg
— The Edj View (@EdjView) March 28, 2021
6:05PM. Curfew is up. And we're back at square one. ECQ Season 2! (Endless Community Quarantine)
F*CK THIS ADMINISTRATION. pic.twitter.com/b392IBBICG
— Ren Tatel Corporal (@RENderred) March 29, 2021
One Netizen even went as far as tracking back to the government saying the ECQ was not a lockdown, even if it effectively was.
https://twitter.com/bboykillmo/status/1375793890096123908
What worried the Netizens, at the very least–the possible stretch of ECQ to beyond April 4, which came after National Task Force against COVID-19 (NTF) chair and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the one-week ECQ is an “observation period.”
National Task Force against COVID-19 Chair and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana tells CNN Philippines that the one week ECQ will be an 'observation period'. Lorenzana says that government is open to all options including the possibility of extending ECQ @cnnphilippines
— Tristan Nodalo (@TristanNodalo) March 29, 2021
As of writing, several health experts—including a Department of Health (DOH) official—-have floated the idea of extending the ECQ beyond April 4, seeing as it was responsible for cases dropping to a manageable rate in 2020.
A Department of Health official said data must be carefully studied, recognizing the economic implication if ECQ over the Greater Manila Area is indeed extended beyond April 4. | @KAguilarINQ https://t.co/WVMacfXcMv
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) March 29, 2021
DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said economics should also be taken into consideration. Recall that last year’s ECQ nearly brought the country’s economy to a halt, prompting the national government to release the now-infamous ayuda or cash assistance.
Will the country survive ECQ Season 2? If you’re from NCR Plus, how has your ECQ Season 2 been?
