Now you know that thousands of businesses closed
It seems that a survey conducted by the World Bank together with the National Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Finance (DOF) have shown that some 11,000 businesses have closed for good since we went into a lockdown. That survey was conducted last July 7-14 and released only last October 6 conducted on some 74,301 companies where 15% declared that they have shut down for good. Of this number 21% came from the arts and entertainment sector, 20% from Tourism, and another 20% from food, including transportation to tourism destinations.
Most of the closures were seen in Metro Cebu and Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon due to strict quarantine rules. Almost 90% reported revenue losses from April to July. Mind you, this is the reality in today’s business atmosphere. While many businesses have reopened, their clients haven’t returned, perhaps due to the problem of public transportation. Go to any shopping mall and there are very few people.
According to a report in this paper “At least three malls in Cebu City have asked to reopen their cinemas to the public and while Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city will take their plea into consideration, Councilor Joel Garganera of the city’s Emergency Operations Center opposes the request. Frankly speaking, the film companies have yet to resume making movies. Based on guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), cinemas in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine may be allowed to open at a 50% operating capacity. Cinemas in Cebu City remain closed, however, since the city transitioned to MGCQ in September and Garganera said reopening them – enclosed spaces with centralized air-conditioning – may reignite the spread of the coronavirus. This is a very strong argument not to reopen cinemas.
“I’m very much against that,” Garganera said on Wednesday.
“Based on latest data, the positivity rate in Cebu City is only at .64 percent, the lowest in the past three months. This is based on the five positive results out of the 771 people tested.
“Aside from this, 38 barangays have already ‘zeroed-in transmission’ while patients from three other barangays are about to ‘graduate’ soon.
“As of October 6, the city only has 356 active cases from its total of 10,044. It has tallied up to 9,013 recoveries. Unfortunately, 675 have died from the virus. Garganera said that even in New York in the United States, only outdoor cinemas are allowed to operate at this time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said indoor spaces are more risky than outdoor space as it may be harder to keep people apart and there is less ventilation.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Labella said the city will decide on the mall operators’ request after it reads their position paper.
“Gipa-submit nato sila’g position papers. Of course, we’ll take into consideration, then, we’ll come up with an executive order of guidelines if ever we agree that we will open our cinemas,” he said.
Labella met with the mall operators Wednesday to discuss the request.
“Ayala, SM, and Colonnade, gusto sila nga moabli na ta, compliant of course with the health protocols, social distancing, observance of non-mass gathering and wearing of masks and sanitation... Nakasabot gyud ta, labi na ang Ayala ug SM. Gusto gyud sila nga moabli. Unya ang kaning Colonnade, they are looking at Manila Film Festival karong December,” Labella said.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry is supporting the request of the mall operators.
“Usa sa atong mga gipangutana, unsay ilang inputs, unsay ilang buhaton tungod kay kani man gu’ng mga theaters, air-conditioned man. They said nga duna sila’y equipment or gadget to address this concern sa pag-disinfect sa cinemas bisan tuod og air-conditioned,” Labella said.
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