The business sector expressed confidence the removal of the mask mandate would buoy the economy towards faster recovery. Joey Concepcion, Jobs Sector lead of the Private Sector Advisory Council, however, favors workers to go back to work on site to stir the country back to faster growth.
Concepcion also told the Pandesal Forum yesterday the country will continue to feel the impact of rising prices until next year due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Commenting on Executive Order (EO) 3 which allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in outdoor settings and where there is good ventilation, Concepcion said: “People will now enjoy a semblance of freedom and normal life. Let us respect the rights of people to choose. There could be a more serious variant than the Omicron, we should prepare (for it) but not over prepare by keeping all restrictions on movement as well as mandates which affect ourpsychological well being. We will have to open up.”
EO 3 signed on Monday by President Marcos Jr. still requires wearing of masks in public transportation and health care facilities, and when around vulnerable members of the population, such as the elderly and very young children.
Concepcion said he believes the requirement of masking indoors would be removed eventually, “when we are ready.”
He added the move will help save tourism as it will encourage more tourists to travel around the country knowing they are not constricted by masks outdoors.
“We have placed a lot of investment in tourism and we have to let it recover,” Concepcion said.
Secretary Christina Frasco in a separate statement said the Department of Tourism is optimistic the lifting of the mask mandate will allow the Philippines to gradually catch up in the race to recovery of tourism in the Asean region as this is seen to build more confidence in travel, spur economic activity, and enhance people-to-people connectivity into and around the country.
Concepcion said PSAC had recommended to President Marcos to keep the proportion of those working from home at 30 percent and only for certain tasks.
“Another suggestion is make the companies decide for themselves. Ideally we want everybody to work in the office (as it will) help the economy because (it will result to) more mobility. We can have exemption for those (tasks that can be done) work from home but we have to balance it,” he said.
Concepcion also expressed optimism that despite rising prices, consumers are still spending.
He also encouraged overseas Filipinos to invest , start a business or send more money home in the face of weakening peso against the US dollar.
