New GCQ Classification Allows 300,000 Employees Back to Work

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced on Monday that the shift to the new general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions has allowed around 300,000 employees to return to their jobs.

Most of the professionals who have yet to be allowed back to work were among those involved in high-risk sectors and industries, said Trade Undersecretary Ireneo Vizmonte.

“Talaga pong dahil dito sa ating pag-iingat, ito po kasing naiwan mga high risk pa, inaasahan natin na ‘pag nagluwag na itong general community quarantine para doon sa regular na GCQ ay marami pong muling makakabalik sa trabaho,” (“Because of safety measures, most of those still prohibited to go back to work are in the high-risk areas. We expect that a lot of employees will return to work once restrictions are eased further to the regular GCQ,”) explained Vizmonte.

The GCQ with heightened restrictions was implemented within the NCR Plus Bubble (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) on May 15.

Only essential travel is permitted in and out of the NCR Plus Bubble and public transportation remains operational under this new GCQ classification.

Dining establishments, as well as personal care services, have also been allowed to reopen at a higher capacity.

Approximately 10 million Filipinos lost their jobs between March 2020 and March 2021, according to data reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Source: GMA News