Nationwide easing of quarantine restrictions pushed by March
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) recommends placing the entire Philippines under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), the most lenient quarantine status, by March to address issues caused by the prolonged lockdowns.
Acting NEDA Director-General Karl Chua echoed the sentiments of 73% respondents surveyed by Pulse Asia in November last year, urging a careful reopening of the economy while maintaining minimum health standards amid a prolonged pandemic.
Chua is hopeful that the country will sustain its quarter-on-quarter growth in gross domestic product (GDP) posted since the third quarter of 2020, following the worst year-on-year GDP drop of 16.9 percent in the second quarter of the said year.
