(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — Metro Manila mayors will not recommend an easing or extension of the COVID-19 quarantine status in the region, leaving the decision instead to the Inter-Agency Task Force, an official said Wednesday.

“The Metro Manila council will defer to the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the next community quarantine status to be implemented in the National Capital Region,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MADD) chairman Bencher Abacus said in a media briefing, as he underscored the importance of balancing economic and health factors.

The country’s capital is currently under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECU) until August 20 amid the spike in coronavirus cases and the threat of the highly contagious Delta variant.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora told CNN Philippines earlier in the day that local chief executives had a hard time deciding on their final recommendation due to these factors.

“It’s the first time we had an ECQ with the Delta variant. This has really further complicated the situation,” he said. “It’s very difficult at this point because if you allow ECQ to continue, the businesses will really suffer. If you open up at this point, more people will die. That’s really the situation now. It’s very hard to make a decision.”

Abalos vowed that whatever quarantine classification is imposed, LGUs will be ready to ramp up COVID-19 testing, isolation, and vaccination efforts.

“Ito po ang mako-commit ng mayors: One, hindi kami titigil sa pagba-bakuna. Number two, we will make sure na ang testing namin kumpleto. Number three, ‘yung ating isolation facilities, binibilang namin araw araw, ilan pa ba,” Abalos said.

[Translation: This is something the mayors can commit: One, we will not stop with the vaccination. Number two, we will make sure that our testing is complete. Number three, we’ll constantly check the status of our isolation facilities.]

President Rodrigo Duterte will still make the final decision as to what happens to Metro Manila after the ECQ status lapses on Friday.

Will there be new ‘ayuda’ if ECQ extended?
Abalos pointed out that one of the main concerns about a possible ECQ extension was if the national government can still afford to provide a new round of cash aid.

“Ang tanong, kung mag-ECQ pa for another two weeks, I’m not sure about the ayuda. Baka wala nang ibigay ang national (government),” the MMDA chief said.

[Translation: The question is, if we extend the ECQ for another two weeks, I’m not sure about the cash aid. Maybe the national government won’t be able to provide anymore.]