Manila Bulletin
No choice but to reopen economy despite COVID-19 spike – Roque
Malacañang is urging the public not to be alarmed by the recent highest single-day spike of 2,434 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 44,254.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that while the Palace is saddened by the increase, the government needs to relax quarantine protocols to revive the economy.
He emphasized that 94.3 percent of the new cases are mild, with only a small fraction being severe, critical, or asymptomatic.
The country's positivity rate remains at 7.3 percent, which is within the World Health Organization's benchmark.
Roque explained that opening the economy is essential to protect workers and businesses from losing their livelihoods.
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President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the Philippines cannot afford a total reopening of its economy due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and a recent spike in cases, warning that it could lead to a surge in infections and put the country in a difficult situation.
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Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed a "small victory" against COVID-19, stating that the Philippines did not reach the University of the Philippines' projection of 40,000 cases by end-June, with the official tally at 37,514.
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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III proposed placing Metro Manila and Calabarzon under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) to boost public confidence and help the economy recover.
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The national government has decided against further relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila beyond July 15 due to current data on case doubling time and critical care capacity.
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