BY JEL SANTOS
The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of 17 mayors, is pushing for the extension of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the National Capital Region until December 31, this year.
“All our mayors agreed to recommend to the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases) to extend GCQ until December 31. It is easy to adjust gradually while under GCQ,” Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia disclosed Monday.
“Mas mahirap na i-Modified General Community Quarantine or MGCQ na 100 percent tsaka mo babawasan, magkakaroon ng resistance iyan, mahirap i-control. Unlike GCQ tayo tapos gradually tayo nag-a-adjust ng mga capacity. This is the better move para tumakbo ang ekonomiya natin,” Garcia explained.
The current GCQ status in the NCR is set to expire by the end of October.
Meanwhile, MMC is also suggesting to change the curfew hours in the metropolis from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Garcia said that this is also the recommendation of the economic team in order to boost the economy which was badly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“This is for our economy, for our establishments to earn more. More people are expected to dine at restaurants due to the change in the curfew hours,” he said.
“All the mayors agreed to this. Of course, health protocols must be strictly observed at such establishments,” the agency’s general manager added.
The mayors, according to him, agreed to only allow 18 to 65 years old to visit establishments like malls and restaurants.
“Our mayors pointed out that individuals aged 18 are the ones who are allowed to work, therefore, they are not out of their houses for leisure. Those below the said aged are more prone to go out their houses just for leisure,” Garcia explained.
Meanwhile, Garcia said there is no definite plan yet regarding the traditional “Simbang Gabi”, saying that the MMC will probably release a guideline on it by the end of November.
“There are recommendations to adjust the curfew during the start of ‘Simbang Gabi’ to 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. But, this is not yet final. It is too early to talk about this. We will release a guideline by the end of November,” he said.
MMC is the policy-making body of the MMDA.
