Gatchalian urges gov't to defer reopening of malls, other public places
Published Apr 21, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday the government should defer the reopening of malls, convention centers, and other similar venues under a modified enhanced community quarantine.
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian
(SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Gatchalian said doing so will help lessen the chances of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading because these are places where people tend to congregate. “I don’t suggest that we open the malls right away because people congregate in these places. Businesses that encourage people to come together should not be allowed to operate for the next two months. After that, then let’s see,” Gatchalian said in a virtual press briefing. But Gatchalian said he favors the reopening of businesses that offer essential services to the public or consumers, especially small and medium enterprises. “For example, grocery, pwede silang mag (they can) impose social distancing. These can operate. What’s important is even if there are a few businesses that will be open, the people can earn,” he said. Gatchalian said it is important that the government prioritizes the easing up of the enhanced community quarantine after it lapses on April 30. He added that it is critical to reactivate business activities in order to regenerate employment. “We are losing about P200-billion a month and I estimated that our economy in the first and half month will lose about almost a trillion pesos in terms of output. In terms of output, our economy is not moving and it means we are losing,” he said. “The only way to help our people is to slowly open up our economy, very carefully and meticulously. We cannot be business as usual. And then let’s see what happens after two months, what our situation is. Let’s evaluate it and slowly open it again,” he added. Gatchalian also urged the government to discourage any activities that will lead to a congregation. “That includes worship activities. On top of my mind are seminars, celebrations. Let’s postpone these activities for the next two months,” he said. “If you look at advanced countries like the United States, they are also easing the lockdown in three phases. They have also banned activities where people tend to congregate,” he said. “What they want is for their citizens to be able to return to work. We should do the same and allow those who need to work to work,” Gatchalian said.
Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian(SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Gatchalian said doing so will help lessen the chances of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from spreading because these are places where people tend to congregate. “I don’t suggest that we open the malls right away because people congregate in these places. Businesses that encourage people to come together should not be allowed to operate for the next two months. After that, then let’s see,” Gatchalian said in a virtual press briefing. But Gatchalian said he favors the reopening of businesses that offer essential services to the public or consumers, especially small and medium enterprises. “For example, grocery, pwede silang mag (they can) impose social distancing. These can operate. What’s important is even if there are a few businesses that will be open, the people can earn,” he said. Gatchalian said it is important that the government prioritizes the easing up of the enhanced community quarantine after it lapses on April 30. He added that it is critical to reactivate business activities in order to regenerate employment. “We are losing about P200-billion a month and I estimated that our economy in the first and half month will lose about almost a trillion pesos in terms of output. In terms of output, our economy is not moving and it means we are losing,” he said. “The only way to help our people is to slowly open up our economy, very carefully and meticulously. We cannot be business as usual. And then let’s see what happens after two months, what our situation is. Let’s evaluate it and slowly open it again,” he added. Gatchalian also urged the government to discourage any activities that will lead to a congregation. “That includes worship activities. On top of my mind are seminars, celebrations. Let’s postpone these activities for the next two months,” he said. “If you look at advanced countries like the United States, they are also easing the lockdown in three phases. They have also banned activities where people tend to congregate,” he said. “What they want is for their citizens to be able to return to work. We should do the same and allow those who need to work to work,” Gatchalian said.