LOCAL business groups have expressed support for a two-week strict lockdown in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 Delta variant.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua told reporters on Wednesday that the risks from the Delta variant are higher and it is important for the country to manage these risks.
The business groups believe that while the two-week strict lockdown may turn economic growth negative, it will ensure better growth in the last quarter of the year if it is successful in being what some experts call a “circuit breaker” in a surge of infections.
“This sacrifice shall help ensure stronger, safer Philippine economic recovery for fourth quarter 2021, which is traditionally the best time for businesses in the year,” the business groups said in a statement.
“[However], before the two-week lockdown in August, there should be at least one week of preparation which shall perhaps be in the first week of August,” they added.
Chua said the primary response of the government is to manage the risks by ensuring a faster vaccination rate as well as limiting stringent lockdowns in local areas or sectors of highest risk.
This, Chua said, will allow the rest of the people, especially those already vaccinated, to earn a living. He said the March-April lockdown is a good guide for the government’s response to the lockdown.
No estimates yet
Meanwhile, Chua said he could not yet provide estimates of how much a two-week stringent lockdown will affect the economy.
Further, any adjustments to growth expectations will have to wait until the second quarter growth estimates are released.
“On the type of quarantine, [we need to see the analysis of] both economic and health sides before we make a recommendation,” Chua said. “[In terms of targets], I’d rather wait till August 10 [for the] release [of second quarter numbers] before we revisit the targets in light of recent developments.”
‘Ghost Month’
Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Secretary Joey Concepcion said August would be the best time to impose a two-week strict lockdown because it is the “Ghost Month.”
Concepcion said the Chinese belief and traditions about Ghost Month often prevent businessmen from making any business deals.
Other key business leaders agreed with Concepcion: Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) and Exporters Confederation of the Philippines (PhilExport) Chairman George Barcelon; and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong.
They said this will enable the government to reopen the Philippine economy in the fourth quarter and ensure that 2022 will be a year of fast, sustainable economic growth.
Bon Liong believes the country’s economic growth would reach 7 percent to 8 percent this year and accelerate to 8 percent to 9 percent next year.
“[This will be possible] if we unite, cooperate, if government reforms and vaccinations continue, if we the business sector keep faith, persevere, invest more,” he said. “I foresee global economic recovery and our Philippine election season to boost economic recovery, especially this second half of 2021.”
Apart from the lockdown, Concepcion said vaccinations have continued to accelerate and this will ensure that the economy grows at a faster rate.
Vaccines expected
Concepcion said GoNegosyo-led AstraZeneca vaccines for various business groups have arrived while Moderna vaccines are expected in the third quarter.
He added the FFCCCII will complete in August its ongoing inoculation with 500,000 Sinovac vaccines nationwide.
Further, Bon Liong said the recovery of the United States and Chinese economies will also boost Philippine economic growth. Both countries are considered the country’s top trade partners.
With the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in place, the regional economy will remain vibrant in the months to come.
He noted that RCEP is the world’s biggest free trade zone which held opportunities for the Philippines. The RCEP was signed by the 10 Asean member-states, as well as Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
Aside from this, there is the Belt and Road Initiative or BRI led by China, including the Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank or AIIB. Bon Liong said the BRI complements the Philippines’s Build, Build, Build program.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila