DTI: PHP180B economic loss due to 2-week NCR Plus ECQ

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimates that the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal resulted in a PHP180 billion economic loss, equivalent to 1% of GDP.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said around 1.5 million Filipinos lost their jobs during the ECQ, with only 500,000 jobs returning when quarantine measures were downgraded to modified ECQ (MECQ).

Lopez emphasized that lower COVID-19 cases and reduced hospital bed utilization are necessary before easing restrictions to general community quarantine (GCQ).