Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said they will issue an advisory to the mayors and local government units (LGUs) allowing them
to determine the extent of further reopening of business establishments from the current 50 percent.
(ALFRED FRIAS / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
He stressed that it is about time to open the economy further to address hunger and unemployment in the country.
During virtual interviews, the trade chief said the DTI will issue an advisory to LGUs based on the authority given by the Inter-Agency Task Force (AITF).
“LGUs will determine up to what extent they will open,” he said.
For dine-in restaurants, Lopez said that LGUs can extend their operating hours past curfew hours or past midnight to serve those working on night shifts.
Lopez explained that what he has been espousing is the opening of up to 100 percent for those already allowed under the general community quarantine status, which have opened up to 50 percent operating capacity already.
For those in the very few areas that are still listed under the modified GCQ, Lopez said they will remain closed. Those that just reopened like Internet cafés and review centers will have to remain at their status quo level.
He stressed that based on studies and statistics, the country’s COVID-19 numbers are continuously improving.
“We can say, it is already safe and it’s about time,” he said.
He noted that surveys also showed an increase in hunger in the country and low business confidence. If businesses remained closed or their operating capacities limited, he said, there would be more economic losses but which can only be addressed by further reopening to resuscitate business, stimulate the economy, and people can return back to work and earn.
“So, it is important to continue gradually to reopen but this does not mean we have to relax our health protocols. In fact, it is more stringent now; from face masks we also have to wear face shields,” he said.
Earlier, Lopez has called for full reopening of business establishments even for those located in areas still under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) areas so that Filipinos can return to work and can enjoy the Christmas season. He said that is the only way to bring back business and consumer confidence in the country.
Lopez has been coordinating with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF) on the stand of the DTI.
He pointed out that business and consumer confidence in the country has remained weak. If this remains so, he said, more people would still be out of work.
“What we will try to do is reopen more. Maybe allow them to open 100 percent even if still under GCQ,” said Lopez adding there are ways to open more businesses at higher operating capacity without going to the Modified GCQ, the most relaxed quarantine status.
By having higher operating capacity, Lopez said, more workers can return to work.
Lopez pleaded that after six months of quarantine, the IATF should already open the remaining sectors of the economy, although he admitted that his appeal may not sit well with the health workers.