Proposal to place NCR, Calabarzon under MGCQ meant to boost confidence in gov't

The suggestion to place Metro Manila and Calabarzon under a relaxed modified general community quarantine "as quickly as possible" was meant to give the public a sense of confidence that the government already has the capacity to address the COVID-19 crisis, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has said.

"We have to start giving them the confidence that we have the facilities to take care of them in case they get sick, they have the knowledge of to remain healthy, and I think it’s really time for people to start getting back to work, but of course, being very careful,” Dominguez said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

“Consumer confidence is key to economic recovery,” he said.

Dominguez said that the government would be ready for any spike in any community.

"That community will be closed or if there are any spikes in any companies, those companies will be asked to review their workplace," Dominguez said.

In a televised briefing Tuesday night, Dominguez said that about 60% or 67% of the Philippine economy was based in Metro Manila and Calabarzon as he recommended that the regions shift to MGCQ as quickly as possible. 

During the briefing on Tuesday night, the Cabinet official said that the lockdown had allowed the government to build up its capability to address the emergency.

“In other words, to have more beds, more testing facilities; and also to educate the public about the requirement for social distancing, using of masks, and generally taking care of themselves,” Dominguez said.

“We have already been under this regime in various levels from ECQ to the more modified approach for over three months already. We believe, the achievement of the Health department is to keep the death rate down and to strengthen its capacity in addressing this issues,” he added.

The Finance chief said that the country was already at the point where "we can be confident that people are educated about the necessity for taking care of themselves and, of course, we know what happens when you don’t.”

He added that people should allowed to go back gradually to their livelihoods because their savings are being severely depleted.

“If your savings are depleted and you have less money, how can you handle other illnesses like flu or diabetes, heart disease? How can you address those issues? So we should start already beginning to open up.”

Under MGCQ, gyms, cinemas, and other similar establishments are allowed to open at 50 percent capacity.

Foreign business travelers may also be allowed to enter the country once quarantine restrictions are downgraded to MGCQ.

“Our economy is consumption driven. Our tax collections are consumptions driven,” Dominguez said.

“People should have the confidence that their livelihoods are stable and they won’t get sick,” he added. -NB, GMA News