Concepcion: PH To Face ‘more Challenging' Situation If ECQ Not Implemented In NCR

Something “more challenging” will face the country had the government not heeded the private sector’s suggestion to place the National Capital Region (NCR) under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said.

- Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos

Concepcion made the statement ahead of Metro Manila’s shift to ECQ from August 6 to 20, 2021 due to the alarming increase of individuals affected by the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a town hall discussion with representatives from the public and private sectors and health experts, Concepcion said while lockdowns hurt the economy, there was no doubt that things would get worse if a preventive measure such as the ECQ would not be implemented.

“It's a challenging situation and let's not wait because if we wait too long, we will be up for something more challenging,” he said Wednesday, August 4.

“The lockdown, rather than two weeks, might be even one month or two months at the quarter where everybody wants to celebrate,” he added.

The Go Negosyo founder said the lockdown was necessary to protect the fourth quarter of the year, when businesses can make up for what they have lost.