By Raphaella Sarangaya

Placing Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 from November 15 until the end of 2021 will allow businesses— staggered by shutdowns caused by the series of lockdowns imposed by the government— to recover, said Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion on Monday, November 1.

Concepcion also mentioned that during the fourth quarter of the year, many individuals are induced to spend large amounts of money to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones by purchasing gifts, eating at restaurants, and spending time in spas and salons to enhance their appearances. 

On that account, the fourth quarter of the year is when most MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) will recover what they have lost during the first three quarters. 

“Business establishments are looking forward to the possibility of declaring Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila as it would lead to additional capacity to accommodate more customers. This would translate to more income that could help them recoup their losses during the pandemic,” Concepcion said in his statement following his meeting on October 27 with representatives of various establishments. 

According to Concepcion, businesses across NCR will have a hard time paying their dues and the 13th month pay of their employees if the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases will not ease restrictions. 

Consequently, he mentioned that if the government’s pandemic response task force will not ease the restrictions by November 15, moving to the year 2022 will be quite challenging for these businesses. 

At present, however, Metro Manila is still under the moderate risk level, Alert Level 3, in COVID-19 infections until November 14. 

References:

CNN Philippines Staff. (2021, November 1). No way but to ease to alert level 2 on Nov. 15 or businesses will suffer, says Concepcion. cnn. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/1/Alert-Level-2-November-15.html

Valente, C. S. (2021, October 29). No way but to ease to alert level 2 on Nov. 15 or businesses will suffer, says Concepcion. cnn. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/11/1/Alert-Level-2-November-15.html