The National Economic Development Authority on Monday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire country under the most relaxed community quarantine by March to address hunger and income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since quarantines were imposed in mid-March 2020, the average Filipino worker has lost P23,000 in anual income while the the entire country lost P1.04 trillion, acting Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Karl Chua told the President.
"Kailangan po nating mag-shift sa lalong madaling panahon sa MGCQ for the entire Philippines. Sana starting March 1, para ma-address yung hunger o yung mataas na antas ng mga Pilipinong nagugutom," Chua said during the President's late night speech.
As of February, the Philippines has downgraded lockdowns to the two most relaxed: GCQ and MGCQ. Metro Manila remains under GCQ.
The NEDA also recommended expanding public transportation to 75% of a vehicle's capacity from the prevailing 50%. More people should also be allowed to go out of their homes to boost consumer spending, Chua said.
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