Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez a range of P2 billion to P30 billion household incomes are restored by the easing of quarantines in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus).
Lopez told the Laging Handa public briefing the estimated range is wide because of the heightened restrictions accompanying the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Lopez’ estimate mirrors the computation of the National Economic and Development Authority which said P60 billion in household income was lost due to the ECQ in March 29 to April 11 and then another P30 billion in MECQ between April 12 and May 14
“In GCQ, not all sectors have reopened so we cannot say if all the P30 billion that was lost can be restored. It’s somewhere between P2 billion and P30 billion… so it could be somewhere in the middle because not all sectors have reopened but at least this eased up a bit,” Lopez said.
He added the shift to GCQ with heightened restrictions will help the economy go back to recovery as it has increased the operating capacity levels of industries.
He cited , as example restaurants which can now accommodate up to 20 percent of dine-in from 10 percent.
“We believe by reopening sectors slowly, we will create more jobs, reduce hunger and move the economy forward,” Lopez said.
He added compliance by establishments to the protocols of the GCQ has been satisfactory based on the monitoring of various agencies.
Establishments, he said, are also shifting to digital contact tracing alongwith the local government units’ own initiatives, which will eventually be integrated to Stay Safe app.
He encouraged economic frontliners, categorized as A4 in the vaccination priority list to submit or register following the go-signal for LGUs to open up vaccination to this category.
According to Lopez, restaurants are willing to give different levels of discounts for those who can show proof they have been vaccinated as an incentive to the proposed vaccine pass. – Irma sip
