DTI: Resumption of businesses in GCQ areas to have ‘minimal’ economic impact

MANILA, Philippines — Resumption of some businesses in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) will only have a “minimal” impact on the economy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Wednesday.

This is because areas where economic activity is stronger like Metro Manila, still remain under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez pointed out.

“May maitutulong po sa paglago uli ng ekonomiya pero hindi po sa malaking paraan, not in a big way dahil ang bulk ng operation po ay nasa Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4 and Cebu and Davao,” Lopez said in an online briefing.

(It will help the economy but not in a big way because the bulk of operation is in Metro Manila, Regions 3, 4, Cebu and Davao.)

“Unfortunately, yung ito pong mga bubuksan na areas na GCQ ay outside Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4. Alam naman po natin na ang Metro Manila, Regions 3 and 4 ang malaking share sa economy po natin,” he added.

(Unfortunately, the areas where GCQ will be imposed are outside Metro Manila, Regions 3 and 4. We all know that Metro Manila, Regions 3 and 4 have a big share in our economy.)

Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except Aurora province), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Pangasinan, Benguet including Baguio City, Cebu including Cebu City, Iloilo (except Iloilo City) and Davao City are under ECQ until May 15.

Starting May 1, provinces other than those areas tagged as under an ECQ are placed under GCQ where businesses, excluding those involved in leisure and entertainment, will be allowed to partially operate.

“Kaya po maghihintay hintay pa tayo ng 15 or more days bago po talaga sigurong umandar uli yung the rest of the economy,” Lopez said.

(That is why we have to wait for another 15 or more days before the rest of the economy starts.)

“But of course we will have to do it gradually. Gusto po talaga natin maibalik na yung trabaho pero binabalanse talaga dito sa infection and transmission rate,” he added.

(But of course we will have to do it gradually. We want work to resume but we have to balance it with the infection and transmission rate.)

LIST: Sectors, activities banned in areas under ECQ and GCQ 

LIST: Businesses allowed to operate in areas under ECQ and GCQ

EXPLAINER: How the gov’t decided which areas fall under ECQ, GCQ

/MUF