Roque favors eased restrictions for people to earn a living amid pandemic

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. is in favor of further easing quarantine restrictions by placing the entire country under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), saying more people should be allowed to start earning a living once more.

Roque’s position echoed the suggestions of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“Kasama po ako doon sa mga miyembro ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na bumoto po ‘no na irekumenda sa Presidente na lalo pang buksan ang ating ekonomiya ‘no. Mas matimbang po ngayon iyong mga kababayan natin na nagugutom na nasa 23.7 million, iyong ating additional na naghirap na mga kababayan na 4.5 million, iyong mga karagdagang nawalan ng trabaho na 2.7 million,” Roque said at a press conference.

Further, Roque cited that 60% to 67% of the economy is in Metro Manila and Calabarzon. Metro Manila is still under the stricter General Community Quarantine (GCQ) where public transport and industries are only operating at 50% capacity.

“Dahil mas matimbang na nga po iyong paghihirap natin dahil sa non-COVID related activities at dahil napatunayan naman ng mga Pilipino sa isang survey po ng OCTA Research, 93% po ang sumusunod sa pagsusuot ng mask sa ating mga kababayan, eh pinapakita natin na panahon na po siguro talaga na isalba naman natin ang ating mga kababayan sa pagkagutom at sa pagkahirap,” Roque added.

Likewise, Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte is likely to favor expansion of public transport operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roque said increasing the operation of public transport from 50% to 75% in GCQ areas, including Metro Manila which is home to 13 million people, is one of the things that President Rodrigo Duterte is considering as COVID-19 vaccines are expected to arrive within the month.

Aside from increased volume of public transport, other policies being considered by the President include: increased bike lanes, inter-province bus operation, expanding the age group allowed to go out to five to 70 years old from 15 to 65 years old and conducting face-to-face classes in low risk areas.

“The expansion of public transport is, I think is not controversial, but the face-to-face classes pilot studies  will also be discussed in the next cabinet meeting,” Roque said. -MDM, GMA News