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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Expert sees 'marginal' economic benefits of reopening video game arcades, other leisure businesses

Expert sees 'marginal' economic benefits of reopening video game arcades, other leisure businesses

Published Feb 17, 2021 12:20 pm

An expert of the OCTA Research Team has expressed uncertainty as to the economic benefits of allowing the reopening of gaming arcades and other recreational business facilities in the country.

A staff of Pro Station Claw Machine in Malate, Manila arcade starts to put back stuffed toys inside their machines as preparation for the IATF announcement regarding the resumption of operations of leisure establishment such as cinema and arcades in GCQ areas (JANSEN ROMERO / MANILA BULLETIN)

"Wala namang nagko-contradict dun sa pagbubukas ng museum. ‘Yung mga arcade, ako hindi ako masyadong convinced doon sa pagbubukas ng arcade. ‘Yung kabuhayan, ano ‘yung kabuhayan na madadagdag natin sa pagbubukas ng arcade? Meron sigurong madadagdag pero baka marginal lang. (There is no contradiction to the opening of the museum. About the arcades, I am not too convinced with its reopening. What livelihood can be added when we reopen arcades? There could be a little, but just marginal), OCTA Research Team member Dr. Guido David said in a DZBB interview on Wednesday. Feb. 17.

"Hindi ko na alam ‘yung sectors na kailangan pa luwagan sa ngayon kasi halos ni-recommend na nila lahat kasama ‘yung mga sinehan, sporting events. (I don't know what other sectors need to further ease restrictions now because they have almost recommended everything including cinemas, sporting events)," he added.

David reiterated the group's apprehension regarding the reopening of movie theaters, but said they will study the implementing guidelines for each business sector that will be given less restrictions once it is available.

"We also have a little hesitation about the reopening of the rest of the proposed business establishments. Almost everything is already open," he added.

David reiterated the need to rollout the vaccination program immediately.

"Kapag nagkaroon tayo ng bakuna talagang magkakaroon ng confidence ‘yung mga tao na lumabas. ‘Yun ‘yung root problem eh. Kahit na gawin mong MGCQ ‘yan kung ‘yung mga tao takot pang lumabas, hindi sila lalabas. May mga taong lalabas pero marami ang hindi pa rin lalabas kahit gawin nating MGCQ ‘yan. (When we have a vaccine, people will definitely have confidence to go out. That is the root problem. Even if we shift to modified general community quarantine, if people are still afraid to go out, they will not go out)," he pointed out.

OCTA Reseach Team has recommended that the quarantine status, especially in Metro Manila, remains under general community quarantine or GCQ "to have a semblance of control" and prevent possible surge in cases of the coronavirus disease.

"Kokonti na lang ang GCQ areas sa buong Pilipinas, less than 10 lang naman. Hindi naman natin pinipigilan ‘yung pagluluwag ng ibang restrictions at sang-ayon tayo dun sa opening up ng churches, pag-increase ng capacity. Gusto natin ‘yung approach na gradual na ginagawa natin since October. (There are only a few GCQ areas in the Philippines, less than 10. We do not prevent the loosening of other restrictions and we agree with the opening up of churches, increasing capacity. We want the gradual approach we have been taking since October), David pointed out.

"Hindi naman garantisadong dadami ang cases pero andiyan ‘yung risk. Parang mas mahihirapan tayo pigilan kung magkaroon tayo ng pagdami ng kaso. (The number of cases is not guaranteed to increase but there is a risk. That will be more difficult for us to prevent having more cases)," he added.

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