The Advisory Council of Experts (ACE), a private sector advisory group, said they have recommended to Malacanang the implementation of 70:30 hybrid work ratio (70 percent onsite and 30 percent work-from-home) to sustain economic recovery in the country.
Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion III, Go Negosyo founder and ACE convenor, said at the Kamuning Pandesal Forum that his group has recommended to President Marcos the hybrid work arrangement 70:30.
“My own view is that I would like everybody to work in the office, we have to learn to live life. There are exemptions, so we have to balance it so our group came up with 70:30 work ratio,” he said.
Concepcion pushed this return to the office to support growth and learn to live with the virus, which infection has slowed down as nationwide immunization has reached 72 percent.
He was even optimistic that the domestic economy could still grow this year despite the weak peso and soaring inflation. While the weak peso could mean some Filipinos losing a bit, he said that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can benefit from the strong dollar and plow back their gains by investing in the country, sending their kids to school, and starting a business.
Thus, the private sector is pushing for the full reopening and going back to normal activities to sustain growth. For instance, the private sector has also pushed for non-mandatory wearing of face masks to support the tourism sector, particularly.
“The private sector has kept pushing and we have been proven right,” he said noting that the crisis had survived all past global crisis.
By making face mask wearing optional, Concepcion said, this would send a good signal to tourists that they are welcome to visit the Philippines. While Filipinos have to be prepared all the time, he warned against over preparations and putting all restrictions that stifle people’s freedom.
He also cited Japan’s experience where it mandated the use of face masks and yet it did not prevent them from being one of the worst hit by the Omicron variant.
“We want to enjoy and see people smile to encourage them that it is more fun to be in the Philippines, but you cannot have thousands of people in the beach wearing masks that is so funny and Philippines is known for our hospitality that is through our smile, so let us not lose that,” he said.
“We have to save the tourism sector, that is very important. Let people come to the Philippines not wearing a mask because how can they take a picture with the masks on,” he added.