Based on the recent data of the Department of Health (DOH), the number of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila is going down, but the question of the region’s preparedness for a more relaxed quarantine remains.
Following the Metro Manila Council (MMC)’s claim that the National Capital Region (NCR) might be placed under MGCQ by November, Malacañang responded that a more relaxed quarantine “is not an impossibility dahil talaga naman pong napababa natin. Pero, nasa kababayan pa rin natin ‘yan sa Metro Manila. Alam na po natin ang dapat gawin: Mask, Hugas, Iwas gaya ng sinasabi ng ating Presidente doon sa Ingat Buhay Para sa Hanapbuhay campaign (It is not an impossibility since we really have brought it down. But it is still in [the hands of] our Metro Manila citizens. We all know what to do: Mask, Wash, and Keep Distance as mentioned by our President in our Ingat Buhay Para sa Hanapbuhay [Take Care of Life for Livelihood] campaign).”
National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the suggestion of the NCR mayors must be thoroughly reviewed since the economy is running smoothly even under GCQ.
“Talagang nakita po natin na noong nag-MGCQ tayo sa ibang lugar, nagkaroon po tayo ng mga spike. Iyon nga ‘yung debate namin sa IATF, what we will do (We really saw a spike when other areas were placed under MGCQ. That is what we debate on the IATF).”
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) believes that a continuous gradual and safe reopening of businesses is important.
DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez stated that the economy is starting to recover and it is backed by the increase of the purchasing managers index (PMI) to 51% in the country.
According to the DTI, the numbers are expected to increase in the next few months if other sectors will be allowed to open. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
