Senator Nancy Binay doesn't think that people will be enticed to out even if the government opens cinemas in the country.
Binay, on Thursday, said the public will continue to fear going out unless they trust the government's response against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"For as long as there’s already trust and confidence doon sa response natin sa (in our response to the) pandemic, it will follow, eh. It will follow that more people will patronize, more people will start going out," she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
"Kahit siguro buksan nila iyan, mukhang wala namang (Even if they open cinemas, I don't think), I don’t think people will go and watch movies," she also said.
As part of the administration's efforts to revive the economy, the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious recently decided to allow the reopening of cinemas and operations of other businesses, cultural and leisure activities in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).
But local executives, particularly in Metro Manila, opposed the move, saying they were not consulted about it. The IATF later deferred its implementation to March 1, subject to the approval of the local government units (LGUs).
"Nagiging problema din (It's also been a problem that) there’s no communication. The mayors have been complaining, the LGUs have been complaining, they’re not being consulted by the IATF when it comes to implementing certain guidelines," Binay observed.
"Kasi hindi naman porke’t pinapayagan na ng IATF magbukas ang (Just because the IATF allows the opening of) certain segments of our economy, they patronize. Kasi nga ‘di ba (Because of course) the fear is still there," she pointed oit
"Kung alam natin na (If we know that) everything is in place, iyong response we have enough hospital beds in case magkaroon ng surge, I guess the economy will really start opening up," Binay added.
The Philippine economy sank by 9.5 percent in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic crippled consumer spending and business activities. This was considered as the country's worst economic performance since 1947.