At least 200,000 jobs to be restored under GCQ —DTI's Lopez

With the implementation of general community quarantine with “heightened restrictions" in NCR Plus starting May 15, at least 200,000 jobs are expected to be restored, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Friday.

“Dito sa pagbukas ulit ngayon [ng ekonomiya], maaaring may maibalik pa na maybe 200,000 to 300,000 na trabaho para at least mapababa pa ang mga nawalan ng trabaho starting from the [enhanced community quarantine],” Lopez said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(As we further open the economy, we are expecting to bring back 200,000 to 300,000 jobs to lessen the number workers displaced since the start of the ECQ.)

During the implementation of ECQ -- the strictest quarantine classification -- in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna last March, Lopez said about 1.5 million Filipinos lost their jobs.

It was reduced to 1 million during the implementation of the modified ECQ in April, he added.

Currently, Lopez said the number of displaced workers went down to 700,000 after the national government allowed the limited operations of some establishments such as dine-in restaurants, barber shops and parlors even amid MECQ.

In a televised address on Thursday night, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that NCR Plus will be placed under general community quarantine "with heightened restrictions" from May 15 until May 31, 2021.

Among the economic activities allowed under the new quarantine classification are indoor dine-in services at 20% venue or seating capacity, outdoor or al fresco dining at 50% venue or seating capacity, and outdoor tourism. —KBK, GMA News