‘Slowly, but surely’ opening for Metro Manila
As far as Benhur Abalos Jr., Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson, is concerned, the opening up of Metro Manila should be done slowly but surely, and the important thing is to observe the situation.
However, he clarified he is only the messenger of Metro Manila’s 17 mayors and could not divulge the names of the local chief executives who voted for and against the imposition of the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) on 1 March.
The MMDA chief said the metro mayors are finding the balance between opening up the economy and safeguarding the health of their constituents.
However, he said what needs to be regulated is the age of those who will be allowed to go out of their residences.
“It is not the labelling per se between general community quarantine and MGCQ, but the age, which is important,” Abalos said.
During the metro mayor’s meeting on Wednesday night, he said they voted according to what they felt should be implemented by 1 March.
It showed majority wanted to implement MGCQ by 1 March, he explained.
Abalos said under MGCQ, if a local government unit sees there is a spike in one barangay or two, they can always implement a lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.
The mayors pointed out that even as quarantine protocols must continue to be implemented, the fact is many people are going hungry and are without jobs due to the pandemic.
“Hunger and joblessness have beset Metro Manila residents. Thus, the mayors are balancing their decision between these concerns. It’s a very difficult decision for the mayors, and they also hear the position and recommendation of the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), OCTA Research and other experts on this matter,” Abalos said.
He said the formula should be very balanced. “For me, opening up should be slowly. Let’s observe two weeks or three weeks. If there is no spike, then increase the openness and the age limit. The important thing is to control the spread of the virus and also the opening of the economy,” the MMDA chief added.
On the other hand, Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco has revealed that nine of the 17 Metro Manila mayors voted for the implementation of MGCQ starting 1 March.
Under MGCQ, almost all quarantine restrictions will be raised, leaving only public health measures — the wearing of masks and face shields, physical distancing and frequent hand sanitizing — strictly enforced. It also means the return of all public utility vehicles on the road, and the expansion of capacity in public places, such as restaurants and churches, to 75 percent.
Tiangco said while the mayors chose to ease the quarantine restrictions in the metropolis, they decided to allow only people from 15 to 65 to leave their homes.
He added the mayors took into consideration the explanation of economic managers who raised the need to bolster the economy, which shrank by 9.5 percent last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, by relaxing the curbs starting next month.
Hunger and joblessness have beset Metro Manila residents. Thus, the mayors are balancing their decision between these concerns. It’s a very difficult decision for the mayors.