- MITCH M. LIPA
The Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed dismay over the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte revoking the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases of lowering the age bracket for minors allowed to go out of their homes in areas under modified general community quarantine.
Frank Carbon, executive officer of MBCCI, said that 50 percent of the economic activities are derived from family affairs, including children.
“Allowing more children to go out will supposedly mean more income for business catering to the needs of the family and children,” he added.
The business group had earlier expressed support to the endorsement of the National IATF allowing minors from 10 years old to go out of their homes if their area is under MGCQ, easing the quarantine of Filipinos up to 65 years old.
The decision of the President was triggered by the opposition of Metro Manila mayors and the threat of transmission of the new COVID-19 variant.
Carbon said they will seek the help of Mayor Evelio Leonardia if he can allow them to extend their business hours at night and to include the selling of alcohol to a certain age bracket to boost the income of local businesses who had just re-opened after seven to eight months of closed shops.
On Tuesday, the MBCCI officials attended a meeting called by the National Economic Development Authority-6. Carbon said they asked NEDA about the economic status of Western Visayas and the status of the national government proposals for Economic Recovery Program. – MML
