Duterte adviser urges gradual reopening of malls, public transport, construction after ECQ

Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion is proposing the gradual resumption of select business activities and public transportation at a reduced capacity to revive the economy after the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, which is expected to end on April 30.

Citing his recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte, Concepcion said that after the lockdown or “by the first week of May, malls may start opening gradually, prioritizing tenant stores that have high consumer demand.”

“Should the malls and stores open, they must adhere to social distancing. All employees and mall-goers will not be allowed to enter malls without face masks or face shields,” he said in a statement.

The presidential adviser also recommended allowing reduced public transport both in Metro Manila and provinces.

“This is to accommodate the essential workers traveling to and from their homes. They, too, must follow strict guidance,” Concepcion said.

“Government-operated transportation such MRT and LRT are also recommended to resume operations,” he added.

The Duterte adviser noted that all cargoes, especially agriculture products that are being delivered from farm to market, “should move freely without passes.”

“On the manufacturing front, all can operate, especially those that produce high-demand commodities,” he said.

“Construction should also resume as this employs a lot of people,” he added.

Other industries may continue to operate as well but with a skeleton workforce or with work-from-home arrangement.

Concepcion emphasized that the country needs to take steps to revive the economy.

“But the question that still lingers today is what weighs more? Life or money? There is no doubt that life is more important. However, without money, how will people eat? How will people buy medicine? How will businesses recover?”

“I think now is the time that we should really look and plan on how to gradually shift towards reviving the economy because in the end, social amelioration is not sustainable for the long term,” he said.

The presidential adviser said that the working capital of micro, small and medium enterprises are depleting and these business may end up closing. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News