MANILA - Several local government units appealed the recommended community quarantine classification of their respective jurisdictions ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte's decision on restrictions to curb COVID-19 spread, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Cebu City has appealed to be placed under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from the prevailing general community quarantine or GCQ.

The Department of Health earlier said that Cebu City was a hotspot for the COVID-19 outbreak.

The following areas, according to Roque, wanted to be placed under general community quarantine from June 16 until the end of the month:

- Quezon province
- Abra
- Apayao
- Caraga Region
- Lanao del Sur

The following areas meanwhile wanted to be placed under modified general community quarantine, or the most relaxed type of community quarantine:

- Pangasinan
- Angeles City
- Nueva Ecija
- Zambales
- Pampanga
- Cavite
- Cebu province

LGUs of Dagupan City, Batanes, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur appealed for "de-escalation" of prevailing community quarantine protocols in their respective jurisdictions, Roque said.

The government's inter-agency task force on pandemic response (IATF) met Monday to discuss the appeals ahead of President Duterte's expected announcement.

"Sa ngayon po pinag-uusapan ng IATF ang desisyon sa mga apelang ito," Roque said.

(The IATF is still discussing these appeals.)

"Mamaya po pag nag-anunsyo na ang Presidente, kasama na po sa iaanunsyo niya kung ano na ang naging pasya at rekomendasyon ng IATF sa mga apelang ito," he added.

(When the President makes an announcement later, the decision and recommendation of the IATF on these appeals will also be announced.)

• Duterte to decide virus quarantines as cases rise with economic restart