Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 29) — Constant communication between Metro Manila mayors and businesses have resulted in better decisions regarding which businesses could open, paving the way for a gradual reopening of the economy despite the pandemic’s continued threat, officials managing the government response to the health crisis have pointed out.
At the Laging Handa briefing on Thursday, National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementor Carlito Galvez Jr. said Metro Manila has been effectively operating under a modified general community quarantine as far as the economy is concerned. The national capital continues to be under strict general community quarantine guidelines.
Galvez said as new cases of COVID-19 go down, economic activity has been on an uptick.
“Ang nakita po namin, maganda po iyong ginagawa po ng Metro Manila, ng MMDA-IATF, dahil ang ginagawa niya calibrated. Kung tutuusin po natin iyong ating sitwasyon ngayon, kung iba-base po natin na iyong ating mga categories sa MGCQ at saka GCQ parang economically nasa MGCQ na po tayo,” he said.
[Translation: From what we see, Metro Manila, MMDA-IATF, are doing well because what they’re doing is calibrated. When we look at the situation now, if we base it on categories in MGCA and GCQ, it’s as if we are in MGCQ mode economically.]
Galvez said constant communication between mayors and businesses have resulted in better decisions regarding which businesses could open.
Under MGCQ, activities allowed in GCQ are sustained, including 50% seating capacity in entertainment venues and religious services. Private and public offices are allowed under the guidelines to operate up to 100% of capacity.
Last week, the Department of Trade and Industry said around 95% of sectors in the country are now operating because of eased restrictions.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said more businesses in the service sector were given the go signal to return to 100% of capacity as the government boosts efforts toward economic recovery.
Lopez also encouraged the implementation of mall-wide sales campaigns to spur activity, citing the recent recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force.
