Roque sees minimal interference of ECQ on economy because of Holy Week

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Saturday that the enhanced community quarantine imposed on the NCR Plus bubble areas would have a minimal effect on the economy.

"Pagdating sa ekonomiya, eh tsinempo na po natin sa Semana Santa," Roque explained. "Kasi wala naman pong trabaho sa Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, at saka Saturday, Sunday.

{As for the ECQ's effect on the economy, we timed so the ECQ would coincide with the Holy Week. There is no work on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, as well as on Saturday and Sunday.}

"So minimal po yung interference doon sa ating mga trabaho."

{So the ECQ's effect on jobs would be minimal.}

Nevertheless, the government acknowledged that some workers would would not be able to earn a living during the ECQ, and the government was prepared to provide them with financial assistance.

As to when this assistance would be doled out, Roque said, "Well siyempre po sa lockdown mahirap mamigay ng tulong. At isang linggo lang naman ito. Pero ang target po natin, di rin po matatapos ang buwan ng Abril ay makakarating yung tulong na ibibigay ng gobyerno."

{Of course, it would be difficult to dole out assistance during a lockdown. But this is just for a week. Nevertheless, we hope to distribute the government aid before April ends.}

Also, after consulting with Metro Manila's mayors, the consensus was to spread the assistance to as many people as possible. Thus, according to Roque, the amounts doled may be smaller than expected, but more peoples would be provided help. — DVM, GMA News