Duterte visits stranded commuters amid Luzon quarantine

President Rodrigo Duterte visited stranded commuters at the Valenzuela-Meycauayan boundary on Tuesday morning to help them reach their destinations amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

The enhanced community quarantine, which began on March 17 and is set to end on April 12, has led to the suspension of mass transportation and closure of malls to restrict movement and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Healthcare workers like Meann Gaño and Trishka Mariano faced difficulties reaching their workplaces due to the lack of transportation, with some being denied passage at checkpoints.

Duterte mentioned the possibility of relaxing the quarantine measures earlier than April 12 if the spread of the virus eases, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and social distancing.

The President also expressed his willingness to join the military and police on the frontlines if necessary.

The United States government has committed over P139 million to support the Department of Health (DOH) in its COVID-19 response, focusing on strengthening health systems and capacity.

The Jack Ma Foundation, in partnership with the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, will also donate 30,000 test kits, while Pacquiao himself will donate 700,000 face masks.