Malacañang asked Metro Manila mayors to trust the government's pandemic task force in its decision to reopen cinemas in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ), emphasizing the need to balance protecting the health of the public with reviving the economy.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as Metro Manila mayors remain hesitant about reopening cinemas in fear that it may become the superspreader of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In his Thursday presser, Roque explained that the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases listens to the different recommendations, noting that the body is undertaking a "whole-of-nation" approach in addressing the pandemic.

"Hindi lang po mga dalubhasa at eksperto sa larangan ng kalusugan ang nakaupo diyan, nandiyan din po ang mga dalubhasa sa larangan ng ekonomiya (So the IATF is not just consisted of health experts. We also have economic experts there)," he said.

"So magtiwala naman po tayo sa ating IATF dahil meron din pong nakaupong mga representante na galing po sa hanay ng mga lokal na opisyales diyan (So please trust the IATF because it has different representatives from local officials)," he added.

In the decision to reopen cinemas in GCQ areas, Roque said the IATF is one with everybody in protecting the health of the people and reviving the economy.

"Lahat tayo ninanais din na mabawasan yung hanay ng mga nagugutom. Lalong-lalo na po na ang industriya ng pelikula ay P13 billion po 'yan dati (We all want the number of people experiencing hunger to go down. Especially since the movie industry is worth P15 billion before the pandemic)," he said.

"Marami rin pong mga mamamayan na nakasalalay din sa industriya ng paggagawa ng mga pelikula (There are many people relying on the film industry)," he added.

On February 12, the IATF allowed the reopening of cinemas in malls and the further expansion of other businesses in GCQ areas. However, Metro Manila mayors expressed hesitation about the move of the body.

According to Roque, cinemas in GCQ areas will not reopen until March 1 following further consultations. Meanwhile, local governments that have issued guidelines on the reopening of cinemas may already reopen.