DTI backs easing of quarantine levels in NCR
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has proposed to relax the quarantine level in Metro Manila to increase the operational capacity in various sectors to the benefit of workers.
At the DTI’S budget hearing at the Senate on Monday, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez informed lawmakers he appealed for the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila. He said such a move, if approved, will allow business establishments to operate at 100-percent capacity.
In the process, this will allow employers to call all of their workers back to site and improve the private sector’s activity to the recovery of an economy in recession, Lopez added.
“I am in favor of MGCQ [in Metro Manila] but only for the purpose of reopening the economy. I made this proposal even to the IATF [Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases],” Lopez replied, when asked by senators for his opinion on the matter.
Metro Manila is placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) until September 30, but the investment community is hoping the region to slide to modified GCQ (MGCQ) in October.
In recommending the shift to MGCQ, Lopez explained he is just concerned for the livelihood of millions of workers who were displaced by the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the GCQ status of Metro Manila is hindering their return to work, citing the case of accountants and filmmakers.
Firms involved in legal and accounting, as well as those in film, music and TV production, can only operate up to 50 percent in GCQ areas, but 100 percent in MGCQ areas.
Even if Metro Manila shifts to MGCQ, minimum health standards observed under GCQ will be maintained, Lopez said. As such, the rules to wear face masks and face shields, to keep distance and to disinfect regularly will be enforced regardless of the quarantine level, he added.
The country’s unemployment rate in July nearly doubled to 10 percent, from 5.4 percent during the same period last year, based on the Labor Force Survey.
This translated to some 4.6 million Filipinos without work in a time of economic crisis. Notably, regions with the highest jobless
rates are mostly placed under GCQ up to now, such as Metro Manila (15.8 percent) and Southern Tagalog (12.4 percent).
Biz groups’ plea
HOPING to increase employment in the buildup to Christmas, business groups last week wrote a letter to the IATF pleading to ease travel and work restrictions in Metro Manila.
First on their recommendations is to permit public utility vehicles (PUVS) to ply the roads again. They lamented the current number of PUVS will fail to service all commuters when GCQ is lifted in Metro Manila, as they said at least 90 percent of the labor force is set to return to work once the region shifts to MGCQ.
They also requested the government to consider practicality in enforcing workplace protocols, such as the wearing of face shields inside offices and factories.
Business groups said the requirement to wear face shields even in the workplace affects the vision, physical safety and productivity of workers. They cited the case of personnel in manufacturing plants who deal with minute parts and sensitive units requiring the clearest of eyesights during assembly.
The joint letter to the IATF was signed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., including the Philippine Silkroad International Chamber of Commerce.
However, Malacañang said Monday the new workplace requirements to stop the spread of Covid-19 will remain in place despite the complaints of employers on the said measures.
“If I am not mistaken, wearing of face masks is 94 percent effective in preventing [a person from being infected with] Covid. The face shields increase this by 3 percent so they have 97 protection,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.
Furthermore, he said the prices of face shields have significantly gone down recently making it a affordable for workers and employers.
Roque also said companies will still need to comply with the mandatory isolation room for every 200 employees.
“If their problem is space [for the isolation room], they could coordinate with their local government unit because there could be an isolation facility in the barangay, where the factory is located,” Roque said.
Both requirements—the face masks, shields and the isolation room—are contained in the new guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, issued earlier this month.