Review protocols vs COVID-19 variants — MMDA chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has called for a review of business guidelines and protocols as Metro Manila and nearby areas remain under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 14.

“It is high time to review business guidelines and protocols, as far as businesses are concerned, with the possibility of continuous mutation of COVID-19 virus. We saw, this is the virus. This is what it did. We have to live with this. How do we fight this?” MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said yesterday.

Abalos’ statement came after the Metro Manila Council recommended a “flexible” MECQ in NCR, implementing a shortened curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. from the previous 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Abalos said there would be some changes to the MECQ next month, pending official guidelines from the government. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Abalos said, is still studying which businesses would reopen in the extended MECQ.

The MMDA chairman also said that some mayors offered their open spaces to food businesses so they would be able to cater to al fresco diners.

Work resumption

The House of Representatives will resume normal work operations on May 3, two weeks before the resumption of session on May 17.

In a single-page memo, House secretary-general Mark Llandro Mendoza stated that regular work operations would be back on May 3.

Several offices in the chamber have been on skeleton force – two to three days per week – from April 12 to 28 after Speaker Lord Allan Velasco ordered House officials and employees to undergo alternative work arrangements as COVID-19 cases rose in NCR.

Among the departments directed to observe skeleton forces were the secretary-general’s office, administrative department, engineering and physical facilities, finance, legislative operations, legislative security bureau and ICT service.

MECQ extension slammed

Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and fisherfolk advocate Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) slammed the MECQ extension and hit the government’s supposed lack of social aid and concrete plans to address the pandemic.

“Government wants to extend the MECQ and restrict the movement of people without making significant improvements in testing, contact tracing, isolation and hospital capacity. Government expects the public to make sacrifices without having to step up and fulfill government’s obligations,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.

Pamalakaya added that it was the labor sector that suffered the most with the lockdown extension.

“Livelihood and other economic activities are unproductively hampered due to travel and border restrictions, while government stimulus aid remains in far sight,” Pamalakaya said.

Bayan, Pamalakaya and other militant groups are set to hold a rally at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, on May 1, Labor Day. – Delon Porcalla, Elizabeth Marcelo