PH economy lost P21-B a month during lockdown as public transport halted — solon

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine economy lost about P21 billion a month when public transportation was suspended during the lockdown that sought to curb the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

This is only for the land transportation alone, House economic affairs committee chairperson Sharon Garin on Wednesday.

The panel, along with the House transportation committee, is tackling the economic impact of transportation issues.

“While our operators, our drivers are suffering losses, at the same time, it goes down to losses of workers because they cannot go to work, and if the workers cannot go to work, the businesses cannot operate,” she said.

“So P21 billion is a very conservative estimate if we look at it,” Garin added.

In the aviation side, Garin noted that since operations are limited, the number of international flights arriving and departing the country decreased, which ultimately led to the losses of jobs in airlines.

In 2019, the Philippines accommodated over 61,000 arriving international flights while there were also about 61,000 departing flights.

So far as of May this year, departing and arriving international flights were down to 12,000 each.

“What’s the effect? Originally, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia, had a total of about 13,000 workforce; now they’re down to about 2,500,” Garin said.

The aviation industry likewise suffered a 1,354% income loss this year compared to 2019.

“Transportation is integrated and interconnected with all the businesses that we have,” she noted.

Metro Manila and other “high-risk” areas were placed under strict quarantine measures since March 17, which shifted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting May 15 then to general community quarantine.

Under the lockdown, mass public transport, including land and aviation services, were suspended.

JE