Businesses in Metro Manila and CALABARZON Could Soon Increase Operating Capacities

The government is looking into increasing the allowed operating capacity of businesses in Metro Manila and CALABARZON amid the COVID-19 quarantine, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chief said on July 2.

According to DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, businesses and industries in those areas running on limited capacity may soon be permitted to expand operations, even as community quarantines are in place, in order to boost the country’s economy.

He said allowing businesses to increase operation capacity could be a solution, as opposed to completely changing the quarantine type in an area.

Salons and restaurants are currently operating at 30% capacity, but that may soon be bumped up to 50%. Barbershops and salons provide jobs to about 400,000 workers, while restaurants, food establishments, and hotels have about 1.7 million employees, Lopez said.

Metro Manila, along with Cavite and Rizal, is under general community quarantine (GCQ) until July 15. CALABARZON has shifted to modified GCQ.

The two regions hold the largest share of the country’s economy, with both contributing greatly to the Philippines’ gross domestic product and housing business districts, economic zones, and industrial plants.

Most businesses have resumed operations under GCQ, and Lopez said about 95% of industries have already restarted limited-capacity operations. However, leisure businesses are still closed and remain prohibited.