Restaurant worker laments last-minute return to MECQ: 'Sana prank lang ito'

Grey Natividad is hoping the government's last-minute decision to defer the implementation of general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila was just a prank as he and his colleagues lament the delay in the reopening of the restaurant where they work.

"Iniisip ko baka prank 'to, sana prank lang ito (I was thinking it could just be a prank, I hope it was only a prank)," Natividad said in an interview with GMA reporter Mai Bermudez.

"Tulad ko, bumiyahe pa po ako galing ng Cavite. Sa totoo lang nakaka-dismaya po kasi bakit padalos-dalos ng desisyon kung nagbigay na kayo ng unang impormasyon sa mga mamamayan na naka-monitor sa gobyerno?" he added.

(I traveled all the way from Cavite. It is frustrating because why does the government have to make such hasty decisions after giving prior information to the public who are monitoring them?)

Business owner Inchang Mendoza, Natividad's employer, shares the sentiments of the staff and even aired her grievances on social media.

Mendoza said her Korean restaurant was already set for reopening this Wednesday. She even had a meeting with her employees and ordered a general cleaning of the establishment.

She also bought their supplies, including pork and side dishes, worth P300,000.

However, their preparations came to naught after the Palace announced Tuesday that NCR will remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until September 15, 2021, or until the pilot general community quarantine with alert level system is implemented.

On Monday, Malacanang said Metro Manila will be under GCQ from September 8 to 30.

"Maraming naka-relate at marami talagang naapektuhan na bakit ganito na lang, ano ba talaga ang plano sa amin ng gobyerno? Ewan ko na rin eh. Dati kasi ayoko talagang nakiki-alam pero sa mga nakita ko, sa mga nangyayari kasi, sino ba ang dapat naming [sundin]? Lahat na ng pagsunod ginawa namin," Mendoza said.

(Many were able to relate and many were truly affected. Why is it like this? What is the government's plan for us? I really have no idea. Before, I used to not mind what is happening but with all that I see, with what we are experiencing, who should we follow? We have been complying since the beginning.)

Mendoza's staff of 32 people, including Natividad, have been no work, no pay for more than a month.

Their families, who count on them, are suffering.

"'Yung anak ko kasi nagkasakit, sabay-sabay po lahat. Doon ako na-stressed na, hindi ko na alam kung paano ko sila igagapang (My child got sick, all of them. I was stressed, I don't know how to sustain them)," said Mark Anthony Marga.

He said he borrowed money to provide for his family's daily needs.

Another staff Dave Sapasap said being resourceful is no longer enough.

"Kahit may diskarte ka po, hindi sapat 'yung diskarte. Kulang na kulang po talaga (Even if you are resourceful, it will not be enough)," he said.

Mendoza appealed to the government to give concrete plans so the people can prepare.

"Sana sa susunod magbigay naman sila ng konkreto, maayos na plano. Siyempre 'yung iba wala naman din na talagang pera, siguro 'yung iba pinangutang pa pamasahe dito para makapasok eh," Mendoza said.

(Hopefully next time they will provide a concrete, proper plan. Others really do not have any money, perhaps some of them borrowed in order to commute to get here.)—Jamil Santos/AOL, GMA News