MANILA -- Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Tuesday he was in favor of some easing to the Luzon lockdown, to allow more businesses to reopen and manufacturing to resume.

Produce from provinces north of Metro Manila should be allowed to enter the region. Some companies should be allowed to ferry workers to offices to ensure that social distancing is observed, he told ANC.

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"We need to ramp up agricultural supply. Manufacturing industries need to come back to life," Pernia said.

"Restrictions on movement of people are still tight. We can loosen some of that," he said.

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President Rodrigo Duterte said late Monday he was "inclined" to extend the lockdown to April 30. It is scheduled to end on April 12.

The Philippines is preparing at least 3 government buildings as quarantine centers as it ramps up testing. As of Monday, it confirmed 3,660 cases including 163 deaths and 73 recoveries.

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