Employers’ group does not see possibility of raising Alert Level 2 in NCR

MANILA, Philippines — An employers’ group does not see the possibility of heightening the alert status in Metro Manila to Level 2 amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Sergio Ortiz-Luis was asked in a Laging Handa public briefing what the effects are of a possible Alert Level 2 on the business community.

“Well, actually, I don’t see any possibility naman (that), well, in the probability that alert level [will be increased],” he replied.

“Ako, medyo naano nga kami sa business community na bakit may mga taong ayaw matanggap na tayo ay magno-normalize na. At every time na mayroong lalabas na ano eh gumagawa sila ng istorya na nakaka-panic,” he added.

(We in the business community were baffled why there are people who cannot accept that we are normalizing. Every time, they make stories that cause panic.)

According to Ortiz-Luis, the economy will further sink if workers would be prohibited anew to going to offices.

He lamented that the government cannot provide aid for the individuals who will be affected by stricter restrictions.

“Bakit hindi natin matanggap na talaga tayo ay nagno-normalize at lagi na lang may naiisip na problema na milyun-milyon na naman na hindi naman kaya ng gobyerno nating ayuda kapag ginawa natin iyan,” he questioned.

(Why cannot we accept that we are normalizing? The government cannot provide aid to people when we raise the alert level.)

Ortiz-Luis also said that the COVID-19 situation in the country is gearing towards the endemic level.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier raised the possibility of hoisting Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

JPV