Metro Manila To Remain MECQ After Aug. 18 “Highly Unlikely” -Palace
METRO MANILA – Malacañang recently said that it is “highly unlikely” for the capital to remain under MECQ beyond the 18th of August.
According to ABS-CBN News, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the government no longer has resources to give aid to poor families in the capital region and neighboring economic hubs if MECQ extends.
“Tingin ko po, mahihirapan manatili sa MECQ dahil nga wala na po tayong pang-ayuda,”
“Ano naman ang gagawin natin sa ating mga kababayan kung hindi sila pupwedeng magtrabaho at wala ng pang-ayuda?”
President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila, as well as Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal under MECQ, the second strictest lockdown. This was after medical workers have apppealed for a time-out due to a surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Tighter restrictions in the nation’s urban hubs were announced as the economy shrank by 16.5% in the second quarter.
The said contraction, which wiped out gains from the Aquino administrations, was mach worse than what the government economists expected.
The Palace said that the reversion of the capital and nearby provinces to MECQ was a “compromise” for the call of frontliners for a timeout, as well as an opportunity for the government to recalibrate its response strategy to COVID-19.
While the second strictest lockdown is expected to slow the spread of the virus, it will, at the same time, take a toll on the livelihood of Filipinos since 70% of the economy is based on the capital and its surrounding provinces.
“Bottom line is wala na tayong pang-ayuda,”
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