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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) – Presidential adviser to entrepreneurs, Joey Concepción, stressed on Tuesday that the gradual reopening of companies in areas under enhanced community quarantine will help rebuild the country’s economy.
“That is good progress. We are really moving towards a GCQ (general community quarantine) and that is the goal,” said Concepción.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced today that Metro Manila, Cebu City and Laguna will be under modified ECQ until May 16-31. One of its guidelines is to allow the limited reopening of select manufacturing and processing plants.
Concepción added that there is a need for more employment opportunities to restart the country’s economic growth to complement the gradual reopening of companies in areas under modified ECQ.
He noted the importance of having an economic stimulus package, which is currently being discussed in the House of Representatives.
“The stimulus package will definitely complement and add fuel to the economy’s engine if it is restarted,” said Concepcion.
READ: The ₱ 700-B post-quarantine stimulus bill tops the House’s agenda in a virtual session
Concepción agreed that most companies under the amended ECQ will operate 50 percent of their total capacity, but appealed that those offering essential services be allowed to run 80-90 percent of their business operations.
“Essentially, we are trying to increase to even around 80 or 90 percent, or we will not be able to supply food, especially canned food and all these essentials. It is a challenge to really increase the number of employees who want to go to work” , said.
The presidential entrepreneurship advisor also asked the government to allow the restart of construction projects in the private sector, after public infrastructure projects received the green light to resume under the modified ECQ.
“The construction industry employs a lot of people. That is what we need now, “he added.
Concepción also noted that as companies are allowed to gradually resume operations, there must be an efficient transportation system between companies to get their employees on and off the job.
The gradual resumption of commercial operations in the modified ECQ areas will also help the country increase its COVID-19 testing capacity, as Concepción emphasized that more companies are willing to evaluate their employees before allowing them to return to work.
“The urgency to really test is imperative for the private sector to allow the economy to open up and we don’t want a resurgence of the virus. So we really have to test, track and isolate,” said Concepcion.
READ: DTI: Companies Willing to Evaluate Their Own Employees to Increase Mass PH Testing Capability
According to the Department of Health, a total of 181,668 COVID-19 tests have been performed so far, including repeat tests. As of Friday, COVID-19’s chief deputy implementer Vince Dizon also said the country can now run 12,000 tests a day.
The government aims to increase daily testing capacity to 30,000 by the end of the month.
Nationwide, DOH has recorded 11,350 confirmed cases of the viral disease, with 2,106 recoveries and 751 deaths.
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