CONCEPCION AIMS FOR HAPPY CHRISTMAS FOR BUSINESS IN 4TH QUARTER OF 2021

With the number of cases in Metro Manila on a downward trend, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion is optimistic it would pave way for the opening of the economy at a higher rate in the fourth quarter of 2021, enabling businesses to enjoy a “happy Christmas.” "The downward trend we are experiencing right now is a result of last month’s stricter lockdown. We have proposed the immediate strict implementation weeks ago instead of being closed during the last quarter of the year,” Concepcion stressed. This proposal backed by OCTA Research group received criticisms from certain groups questioning its efficacy but recent data is showing its positive effects in the cases being reported. During the “Pandesal Forum” in Quezon City, Prof. Guido David of OCTA Research reported about the good news in Metro Manila where the group noted a decrease in the number of cases in the region. "The reproduction number in the NCR has also decreased to about 1.11. This confirms that it’s close to a downward trend,” said David, adding that some local government units (LGUs) have recorded a negative growth rate in the number of COVID-19 cases. "As we noted, protecting the fourth quarter is very important and I think with the downtrend that we’re starting to see, this is now becoming reality. The numbers are close to what Go Negosyo predicted.” said Dr. David. Concepcion, for his part, welcomed Dr. David’s pronouncement, hoping the downward trend will further continue just in time for October, where the economy is expected to ramp up due to the Christmas season. "If now what OCTA is showing that we’re seeing a gradual tapering off and hopefully the downward trend. Hopefully that would be just in time for October so that we can open up the economy even further,” Concepcion stressed. The presidential adviser is pushing not just 10 percent opening of the economy, but 30 to 50 percent to help ramp up economic activity leading to Christmas time. "There’s no other way,” said Concepcion, echoing the warning of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) that the economy will lose trillions of pesos as an after effect of the pandemic. He also reiterated his call to the national government to listen to the private sector when it comes to the opening of the economy, saying it would boost their capability to help the public sector during the pandemic, especially in the purchase of vaccines for their workers. "The problem here is that how we can support even more if the economy is closed? You can see many of the businesses are affected at this point in time,” Concepcion emphasized. "We are responsible people. We know how to maneuver. We’re not going to open the economy recklessly,” he further said, adding the private sector even supported OCTA’s call for a two-week lockdown to be able to save the fourth quarter of the year. Concepcion has been calling on the government to implement the Bakuna Bubble where fully vaccinated individuals are allowed more mobility to help boost the economy and provide employment for many Filipinos. More than 1,000 business owners and franchisees have backed Concepcion’s suggestion, saying the government should look into the possibility of providing incentives to fully vaccinated people, including easing of guidelines.

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