DILG chief wants COVID-19 Alert Level 1 nationwide to boost economic growth

(INQUIRER file photo /RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año wants the entire country under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 to boost the economy.

Año on Monday said that with several areas still under Alert Level 2, the economy’s growth would not be maximized.

“Ang layunin talaga natin dito, buong Pilipinas mag-Alert Level 1 kasi marami pa ring naiiwan na mga probinsya at mga municipalities na under Alert Level 2, eh hindi natin ma-maximize ‘yung ating economic growth natin,” he said on TeleRadyo’s Sakto.

(Our objective here is for the entire Philippines to be under Alert Level 1 because many provinces and municipalities are left behind under Alert Level 2, we cannot maximize our economic growth.)

Año stressed that the goal is to impose the most relaxed alert level in the entire country.

“‘Yan ang ating adhikain, dapat buong Pilipinas under Alert Level 1 para talagang halos ang ating restriction na lang ay ang minimum public health standards, at ang mga iba’t ibang bayan ay umunlad at talagang maka-take off na,” he explained.

(That is the goal, the entire Philippines under Alert Level 1 so the restriction would only be observing minimum public health standards, and the different towns would thrive and take off.)

Metro Manila and nearly 200 areas are under Alert Level 1 from April 1 to 15.

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