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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH to suffer P405-B losses from Metro Manila, Calabarzon ECQ -- Salceda

PH to suffer P405-B losses from Metro Manila, Calabarzon ECQ -- Salceda

Published Aug 5, 2021 04:32 pm

The Philippine economy is expected to suffer a loss worth P225.37 billion from the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, which could rise to over P405 billion if the strictest lockdown would also be implemented over Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Albay representative Joey Salceda said on Thursday, August 5.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda (MANILA BULLETIN File Photo)

Salceda, an economist, projected a decline in the country's gross domestic product (GDP) once the ECQ takes effect in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20.

Most of the losses would come from the services sector, the industries, as well as from the agriculture sector, he said.

The lawmaker's estimates were greater than the P105-billion economic loss projected by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as he cited the losses resulting from the imposition of the ECQ in the NCR Plus bubble last March, as well as additional restrictions from the government's pandemic task force on transportation and businesses.

Salceda said the cost could increase by P179 billion if Calabarzon would also be placed under a two-week ECQ.

This is equivalent to a 1.1-percent decline in the country's GDP, or a loss of totalling to P405.34 billion, said Salceda.

Some 658,000 Filipino workers mostly employed in wholesale and retail trade, as well as construction, might also be displaced if both Metro Manila and Calabrazon are placed under ECQ, he also warned.

While he does not oppose the lockdowns, Salceda said "there may be other ways" to control the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), such as implementing stricter border controls, improving triage system, and contact tracing.

The prompt delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across the country may also address the need to restrict movement.

"We may not be able to recover in the fourth quarter if we don't have the vaccines. That's the real issue. But a lockdown per se, the only benefit to that is if it's able to prevent the spread to other areas outside Calabarzon and Metro Manila," Salceda said in a virtual press briefing.

Authorities are also mulling to place Region 4-A under ECQ, and President Duterte is expected to issue his decision soon.

Related Tags

ECQ calabarzon NCR covid-19 pandemic response joey salceda lockdown
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