PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico
MANILA – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business organization, has expressed its support to the proposal for further easing the alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) within the next 14 days.
In a statement Tuesday, PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico said businesses have lost money and opportunity for nearly two years amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that it is critical to fully open the economy the soonest to allow them to recover and recoup their losses.
“The easing of restriction to Alert Level 2, which will allow most businesses to operate, and restaurants to increase the capacity of allowed diners is a good move, especially now as we enter the Christmas season and there is a surge in consumer spending," Yujuico said.
Under Alert Level 2, businesses can operate at 50-percent capacity for indoor activities and 70-percent capacity for outdoor services.
It also opened up the transportation sector to 70 percent.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases maintained the Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila until November 14.
“Increasing the capacity of public transport will also support the revitalization of business and the economy,” the PCCI chief added.
He also underscored the importance of accelerating the vaccination efforts throughout the country to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the regions to recover.
The PCCI also urged the government to gradually open the country for tourism like what Thailand and Singapore did to help in the economic recovery. (PNA)
