PCCI slams lockdown as a military solution

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the voice of Philippine business, slammed the government’s penchant for lockdowns likening it to a military solution and ineffective in curbing coronavirus transmission in the country.

PCCI acting President Edgardo G. Lacson issued the statement following pronouncements of possible extension of the lockdown to five weeks.

A new quarantine classification in various parts of the country has just been announced.

“COVID-19 pandemic is a pharmaceutical problem while lockdown is a militaristic solution. Our economy is disfigured after many protracted lockdowns, yet the spread of COVID continues,” Lacson said.

He added that the Philippine economy has fallen into its deepest recession since 1947 largely due to the prolonged and harsh lockdown response.

Lockdown is not the only option to stop COVID-19 spread, instead it may even aggravate the health and livelihood crisis, according to medical health experts all over the world.

“Mere mention of lockdown stokes greater fear than the infection from COVID-19. Another five-week lockdown could be the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back. It will wipe out the temporary economic gains we earned in between lockdowns and could stop the momentum of business from moving forward,” he stressed.

Lacson hopes the planned five-week lockdown is just an overreaction to the rising cases of the Delta variant.

He said that the more prudent response should be ramping up the vaccination program to achieve herd immunity and continue imposing health protocols as a necessary measure to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Meantime, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez clarified that that the government has presented scenarios but stressed “this does not mean there is lockdown.”

“If the numbers improve until next week, we should go MECQ and granular lockdown,” he said.

He further said the government is watching the data closely.

He said that economic and security angles are always considered together with health crisis.