OLONGAPO CITY — Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez is pushing for a more liberal approach in reopening the economy amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.
In today’s Network Briefing News with Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, Lopez said this include the widening of the age range of those who can go out from 21 to 60 years old to 15 to 65 years old.
Alongside the easing of the economy, he said there is a need to correspondingly ease restrictions among consumers and customers so that businesses can earn more.
“Expanding the age group of those who can go out, whether for work or other purpose, can be a big boost to the economy since this will increase the number of customers of businesses and establishments,” he said.
Aside from that, the cabinet official disclosed that other proposed measures presented to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) is to shorten curfew hours.
“Hopefully, in other areas, they can totally remove the curfew so that when we reopen the other sectors, especially those in the food industry, dine in and delivery on a 24-hour scheme can be allowed so they can cater to those working on night shifts,” he said.
Lopez also expressed optimism in the development allowing for one seat apart in public transport to increase capacity.
He said these developments are crucial for the recovery of the economy, which collapsed because of the pandemic.
“The 16.5 percent economic downturn in our economy is a first in our history. With our proposed measures, we are hopeful that hunger, malnutrition and other diseases caused by poverty will decrease,” the secretary said.
With this, he assured additional funding for micro entrepreneurs under the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act to aid and extend loans to more micro enterprises, especially those who are severely affected by the pandemic.
However, Lopez reminded the public to be careful especially when going outside and to always adhere to the minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, washing of hands, avoiding crowded places, and not talking or eating in public transport.
He also clarified that the IATF-EID has yet to issue official announcement on these measures before they can be fully implemented by local government units.