MANILA- While Laguna doesn't have the highest number of coronavirus infections in the Southern Tagalog region, it is the only province that will shift to a modified lockdown based on government standards, Malacañang said Thursday.

In the region, Rizal province has more coronavirus infections than Laguna but the latter needs a stricter lockdown due to the case doubling rate in the area, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

"Unang-unang kinokonsidera diyan ay yung case doubling rate at pangalawa yung kahandaan na magbigay ng critical care ng lugar," he said in a Palace press briefing.

(We considered the case doubling rate and the preparedness of the province to provide critical care.)

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Laguna, along with Metro Manila, and Cebu City in Visayas, are the remaining areas in the Philippines identified as having a high risk of a coronavirus outbreak.

These areas will shift to a modified enhanced community quarantine by May 16 until May 31 while the rest of the country eases restrictions and moves to a general community quarantine.

Batangas, Cavite, and Bulacan were also classified as general community quarantine areas.

As of Wednesday, Rizal has a total of 393 COVID-19 cases including 60 deaths and 154 recoveries.

Laguna, on the other hand, has 343 cases including 180 recoveries and 30 deaths as of Wednesday.

Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez sought clarification on the province's classification but said he would not make an appeal.