PASIG CITY, (PIA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) denies a news report quoting Metro Manila Council Chairperson and concurrent Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez that all the metro mayors have agreed to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until August 30.

In an official statement, MMDA Chairperson Benhur Abalos said he talked with Mayor Olivarez and the mayor refuted the article, adding that no meeting among Metro mayors occurred.

The Metro Manila mayors are focused on monitoring the number of COVID-19 cases on their respective jurisdictions, vaccination rollout, and distribution of ayuda or financial aid to low-income families affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which will last until August 20, 2021.

The MMDA chief added that any recommendation that will be made by the MMC shall be based on data, LGU capabilities, and experts' (health and economic) studies.

Metro Manila is under the most restrictive ECQ until Aug. 20 to curb the spike of COVID-19 and the more transmissible Delta variant. (MMDA/PIA-NCR)