By Kaela Patricia Gabriel

PHOTO: Manila Bulletin

The Palace on Tuesday attributed the rise of COVID-19 cases in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown Davao City to catering patients from neighboring areas among others. 

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it is not fair to compare Davao City to Quezon City after a report from OCTA Research revealed the former has surpassed the latter in terms of highest daily average COVID-19 cases.

Roque also emphasized that Davao City, wherein the Southern Philippine Medical Center is located, accommodates COVID-19 patients from the whole Davao Region.

On Tuesday, the OCTA Research released the data regarding the average count of new COVID-19 cases wherein Davao City had 213 average cases in the past seven days while Quezon City recorded 207, also from June 1 to 7.

The Palace official also noted Davao City has been under general community quarantine for a long period of time compared to Quezon City, a part of the Metro Manila bubble, which was put under stricter quarantine classifications.

"So sabihin na lang po natin siguro na hindi tayo puwedeng magkumpara na apple to apple dahil iba 'yong sitwasyon sa Davao. Kaya siguro bumaba ang kaso sa Quezon City dahil nag-ECQ nga at nag-MECQ na hindi naman po nangyayari sa Davao," he added.

To deal with the surge of the COVID-19 cases, Davao City is placed under MECQ from June 5 to June 20.