The provincial governments of Aklan and Antique do not see the need to place their areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the strictest form of lockdown.

According to Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in their province has remained “manageable”.

“First, the number of cases in Antique is very manageable and as for the past months, our economy is starting to open. Second, instead of leading the province forward, we are stepping backwards as our economy will have a big blow again if we will be put on ECQ. Third, Antiqueños are having pandemic ‘fatigue,'” she told IMT News.

“Tak-an ron sanda sa mga quarantine and suya sanda ron nga puro balay lang. Sometimes, they only wear masks ‘pag may sumita or may police. Some small businesses are angry with the close open protocols. Jeepney drivers are not following the physical distancing rules and if asked why they answer sin-o mapakaon pamilya mo and if you say COVID-19 they will just turn their heads,” she added.

Antique has the least number confirmed COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas.

The province, based on data from the Department of Health (DOH-6), has logged only 120 cases since the start of the pandemic in March last year.

Of the number, 110 have recovered from the disease and 1 has died. The remaining 9 are active cases.

Aklan, under the leadership of Governor Florencio Tumbocon Miraflores, also claims that it has kept the number of COVID-19 cases at a manageable level.

Dr. Cornelio Cuachon of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) Aklan said there are parameters in placing areas under ECQ.

“Meron kasi tayong standard at parameters para masabing we will be put in ECQ. Dito sa Aklan very manageable ang cases kasi kahapon, we only recorded two cases, last day 22,” he explained.

Cuachon urged the public to strictly observe minimum health standard to prevent the further spread of the disease.

“We are doing our best to inform our locals to also do their job para maiwasan ang virus,” he said.

Aklan has a total of 1,082 cases, 899 of which are recoveries, 30 are deaths and 152 are considered active.IMT