Shortened banking hours amid ECQ in NCR, other areas

Several banks announced shortened banking hours during the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in Metro Manila and other areas in the country.

Apart from the National Capital Region, which will be under ECQ from August 6 to 20, the provinces of Laguna and Cagayan de Oro as well as Iloilo City have been placed under ECQ from August 6 to 15. 

Cavite, Lucena City, Rizal and Iloilo Province have been placed under modified ECQ during the same period.

Batangas and Quezon, on the other hand, are under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions from August 6 to 15.

The municipality of Gingoog has been placed under GCQ with heightened restrictions from August 8 to 15.

With stricter quarantine protocols in place in areas under ECQ, banks have adjusted their business hours.

In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, BDO Unibank said all its branches will stay open until 3 p.m. starting August 6 to 20 “as we observe the quarantine protocols.”

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and BPI Family Savings Bank branches are also on shortened business hours.

“All branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while Iloilo branches will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” BPI said.

Metrobank, meanwhile, said it will have shortened banking hours nationwide (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) from August 2 to 20.

Security Bank said starting August 6 its branches in areas under ECQ and modified ECQ will observe shortened banking hours.

Security Bank said its branches in ECQ areas are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., those in MECQ are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while branches in GCQ areas will observe regular banking hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., likewise, shortened its operating hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting August 6 until August 20.

China Bank branches are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in ECQ areas while those in MECQ areas have banking hours until 3 p.m.

Philippine National Bank branches, likewise, are open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the ECQ period.

United Coconut Planters Bank said its branches in areas under ECQ are operating on shortened banking hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Malayan Savings Bank said its branches in ECQ areas are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.

State-run Land Bank of the Philippines said select branches will be closed while banking hours may vary during the ECQ period.

Starting August 2, Development Bank of the Philippines shortened the banking hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in its branches located in ECQ and MECQ areas.

In a statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it will closely coordinate with the banking industry to ensure continuous delivery of banking services during the ECQ period.

“BSP reminds banks to adopt necessary protocols against the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. This is in line with efforts to maintain banking industry operations despite alternative work arrangements and heightened restrictions imposed in Metro Manila and other localities during this period,” it said.

The central bank said its Head Office in Manila and Security Plant Complex in Quezon City will operate with a skeleton workforce of mission-critical departments and support units that will continue to report on-site, under shortened working hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Ted Cordero/RSJ/AOL, GMA News