Allowing public transpo under GCQ could have cushioned economy drop —Robredo

Allowing jeepneys to operate in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ) could have cushioned the sharp drop of the country’s economy in the second quarter of 2020, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo noted that the 59.2-percent decline in the transportation and storage sector was one of the major contributors to the Philippine economy’s 16.5-percent drop into recession. 

“Napakalaki noon. Ito iyong parati nating sinasabi na sana noong nag-GCQ tayo, puwede na sana iyong public transport doon. Ayusin na lang. Siguraduhin na mayroong social distancing,” she said.

“Ayusin na iyong pinaka-maliliit na drivers nakakapagbiyahe na lalo na iyong mga jeepney drivers. Sana ayusin kung papaano makaka-observe ng social distancing using jeepneys kasi marami talagang apektado,” Robredo added.

The government allowed some 6,000 “roadworthy” traditional jeepneys to resume operations starting July 3, a month after Metro Manila moved to a GCQ.

A two-week modified enhanced community quarantine was reimposed on August 4, once again restricting mass transit. 

“Kung napatama sana maaga pa, hindi ganito ka-grabe… May mga ginawa na ang hinahanap nating from the very start na plano, pero mabagal talaga,” Robredo said.

She also noted that the Philippines posted the worst growth across Southeast Asia for the second quarter of 2020.

“Karamihan ay talagang nag-contract iyong economy pero tayo iyong may pinakamalaking contraction. Tayo rin kasi iyong pinakamahabang lockdown… Ang malungkot sa mga ganitong balita kasi gustong sabihin, mas maraming maghihirap. So sana, mapatama na iyong pag-deal with this,” the Vice President said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News