OCTA Research warns vs rushing easing of quarantine in Metro Manila by March

MANILA, Philippines — It is best not to rush the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila by March, a member of the OCTA Research group said Tuesday as the mass Covid-19 vaccination starts this month.

“Huwag natin masyadong madaliin. Alam kong naghihirap na tayo pero minsan yung timing ng decision is very critical, every month nawawala tayo pero mahirap naman malagay sa kalagayan ng krisis,” OCTA Research member Dr. Guido David said in an interview over Teleradyo.

(We shouldn’t rush it. I know we’re having a hard time, and the timing of the decision is very critical, we money every month but it’s really hard at a time of crisis.)

David’s statement comes as Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and acting National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) director general Karl Kendrick Chua said that he believes that Metro Manila will be able to shift to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) by March as the planned vaccination drive, he said, would greatly improve confidence in the country’s healthcare system.

Currently, Metro Manila, as well as six other regions, are under general community quarantine (GCQ) until the end of February.

According to Chua, for every day that Metro Manila and other adjacent regions are under GCQ, the government loses P700 million in wages, salaries, and other income.

Meanwhile, David said that while it is important to consider the condition of the economy, he noted that it is also important to balance it with the campaign against Covid-19.

“Naintindihan naman natin na ang focus ng economic team, mabalik natin yung [economy], naintindihan natin ‘yun pero tinitignan talaga nila yung economy, everyday na tayo sa GCQ, siguro nakakaiyak yung numbers, pero at the same time, iba-balance natin kasi yung pag-balanse importante na rin,” he said.

(We understand the focus of the economic team, we need to revive the economy. Every day that we are under GCQ, the numbers are down. But at the same time, we need to balance it because it is important as well.)

Asked for his opinion when it is the best time to relax quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila, he answered: “Mahirap pa masabi, depende pa sa rollout mismo pero ibig sabihin yung March, masyado pang maaga.”

(It’s hard to tell, it depends on the rollout but March is too early.)

EDV