Food, health, and other basic commodity establishments will be allowed to operate as the National Capital Region (NCR) enters into a stricter general community quarantine classification.
According to Malacañang and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the main industries permitted to operate under GCQ are:
• Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
• Manufacturing of essential goods
• Food, water, and energy companies
• Health, emergency, and frontline services
• Telecommunications and transportation
Although some business establishments have closed anew, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said he is confident that this will not severely affect the country’s economy.
“Ang ating GCQ naman po halos 75% ng ating mga industriya ay bukas na. So sa tingin ko po, minimal na ang epekto sa ating ekonomiya (Almost 75% of our industries are open under GCQ. I think this will only have a minimal effect on our economy),” Roque claimed.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcial announced on Thursday that food delivery services in the region will be allowed to operate for 24 hours. Garcia added that number coding remains suspended in national roads within the NCR.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will have another meeting today. President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to address the nation on Monday. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
