By NG Seruela
The Metro Manila Council (MMC) agreed to implement shorter curfew hours on May 1.
In Resolution No. 21-09 issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday (April 28), the curfew in the National Capital Region (NCR), currently 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., will be eased to 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. starting May 1.
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said in today’s Laging Handa public briefing that at their recent meeting with experts, a recommendation to balance the economy and health was made.
“So based on that, in-adjust namin iyong curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Kahit papaano po, makakatulong po ito sa paglago ng ekonomiya. At the same time, mamo-monitor pa rin natin iyong mga nasa kalsada na wala naman kailangang gawin, mapauwi natin sila ng 10:00 p.m.,” he said.
Garcia added that the two additional hours in the evening will greatly help the establishments allowed to open by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the current community quarantine.
“Kapag ginawa nating 10:00 p.m. iyan, kahit papaano madadagdagan sila ng two hours at dagdag din ng customers nila iyan, pero of course iyong minimum health protocols pinapatupad pa rin natin,” he said.
The MMDA official also said that with their efforts to balance the economy and health, the public’s health remains their number one priority, as well as the capacity of the region’s hospital care. -jlo
