MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has lauded the public's compliance with the restrictions being enforced in the so-called "National Capital Region plus bubble" and has expressed optimism that the stricter measures would abate the surge in COVID-19 infections. "We are happy because it seems that many of our countrymen extended their cooperation. While there are apprehensions, relative to the total population of Metro Manila plus, they are only few," Roque said at a press briefing last Tuesday. The government's pandemic task force is scheduled to meet this week to discuss the quarantine classifications of areas outside the "NCR plus bubble." The government aims to reduce the daily new COVID-19 infections by 25% within the next two weeks.

Source: Philippine Star March 24, 2021 10:30 UTC