ADVERTISEMENT
News
PCCI says intended effect of three-month quarantine not realized
By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News Philippine business groups on Monday expressed their concern over the growing number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, noting that the expected effects of the three months of lockdown have not been realized.
According to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, the Philippines has already been overtaken by neighbors in flattening the curve even after the months under quarantine.
"Kung titingnan ko kung ano 'yung nangyayari sa Thailand, sa Vietnam, sa Taiwan, eh 'yung kanilang epidemic curve bumababa na actually pero 'yung sa atin hindi pa natin nakikita 'yung epekto ng ating matagalang lockdown," Yujuico said during the Tapatan sa Aristocrat virtual briefing.
"It brings a certain concern sa atin with regards to how effective our fight is against the COVID, although we acknowledge that everybody seems to be trying their best," he added.
Metro Manila and other "high-risk" areas were placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 17 to May 15, followed by a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 31.
This was followed by a general community quarantine (GCQ) put in place from June 1 to 15, and has since been extended until July 15.
ADVERTISEMENT
Other Asian neighbors have imposed shorter quarantines, and have already reopened their economies.
"'Yung COVID-19 in general, I think our officials, they're trying their best to contain this pandemic at the same time flatten 'yung tinatawag nilang epidemic curve," said Yujuico.
This was echoed by Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) president Henry Lim Bon Liong, who said the country should learn from its neighbors.
"Tignan natin ang ano, for example, Hong Kong, Singapore, 'yung mga ibang country na even Thailand right now is opening already," he said.
"What did they do right na hindi natin ginawa? Marami tayong (lessons) that we can learn from them," added Bon Liong.
The Philippines has recorded a total of 44,254 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday, July 5. This includes 11,942 recoveries and 1,297 deaths.—AOL, GMA News