Let’s eliminate the virus not jobs, biz leader says

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Officer Frank Carbon said they are hoping to get some concession for businesses to survive amid the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Carbon told Daily Guardian Thursday that they were not able to have a discussion or consultation with Gen. Melquaides Feliciano of the National Inter-Agency Task Force against the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

“Not good… we’ll do it again tomorrow (Friday)… maybe tomorrow we’ll get some concession for businesses to survive,” Carbon said.

“Let’s eliminate the virus not the jobs and livelihood. I hope that’s the direction we’ll take,” he added.

Earlier, Carbon said the MECQ was farthest from the minds of business leaders.

Bacolod, which has just reverted to General Community Quarantine last Sept 1, 2020, was placed under MECQ by the National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) which caught everyone by surprise.

“We are a little wary on the plans of these officials on how to contain the spread of the virus knowing they are military men,” Carbon has said.

Carbon also said that the problem now is not only about health, but also the economy, specifically employment and livelihood losses.

He further said that they will ask the IATF to allow public transportation to operate in areas that are safe for public movement.

“Granular or localized lockdowns should be an option, which means only those areas with problems, or with high COVID transmissions, should be placed under lockdown,” Carbon pointed out.

He also pointed out the need to be proactive by having a virus containment and business continuity plans.
In the latest COVID cases update, Bacolod City has breached the 2,000 mark.
Bacolod City has 2,185 cases, including 1,931 are local cases and 234 among Locally Stranded Individuals and Overseas Filipino Workers.

741 have recovered, while 1,394 are still active cases and 30 died.