Most of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila have thumbed down the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)-approved reopening of cinemas under the persisting General Committee Quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Thus, bared Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos in a press conference Monday, Feb. 15, amid running consultations with the 17 mayors who comprise the Metro Manila Council or MMC.
"Hindi po papayag ang mga mayor at least as far as this issue is concerned, yung cinema (As far as the issue on cinema reopening in concerned, the mayors won't agree to it)," he said.
"Halos lahat ng alkalde ay ayaw po ng ganito because its enclosed, you have to stay there for more than one hour...baka lalong kumalat (Almost all the mayors don't want this because the area is enclosed, you have to stay there for more than one hour...the virus might spread further)," Abalos said, echoing the sentiments of the local chief executives.
The MMC is the policy-making body of the MMDA. Abalos said he met with the mayors last Thursday regarding the IATF's relaxation of rules under GCQ, which would pave the way for the return of leisurely activities--the reopening of movie houses being one of them.
Abalos said the cinema issue was the "most contentious topic" during the MMC meeting. Nonetheless, he said it was important for the mayors to have a common stand regarding the reopening of cinemas since their cities are particularly adjacent with each other.
"The virus knows no boundaries," the MMDA boss noted.
At any rate, Abalos hinted that the mayors were willing to accede to the IATF, at least to a degree, since the officials would still have a say in laying down ground rules.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm talking now as Benhur Abalos, not for all the mayors. What is important is the procedure. At the end of the day it's the IATF that will decide, the President will decide. Ang importante we act as one. Ang importante nagkakaisa (What's important is we act as one. What's important is unity).
"But let me emphasize this, if ever the worst case scenario is we (allow) these activities, if they make the internal rules and regulations (for cinema reopening), the mayors are included here, the LGUs (local government units) and the Department of Health. Meaning, kasama pa rin ang mayor, pwede mong baguhin ang guidelines (This means that mayors are still included, they can change the guidelines)," Abalos said.
He said the MMC would meet again tonight (Monday) to discuss possible guidelines.