Capital mayors vote to ease restrictions
MAYORS in Metro Manila have agreed to recommend a further easing of restrictions in the nation’s capital starting March 1.
In a press conference on Thursday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benjamin de Castro Abalos, Jr. said the recommendation was agreed upon by the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is composed of the capital’s 17 mayors.
Mr. Abalos did not disclose how the mayors voted, but some have earlier expressed reluctance to the national government’s plan to put the country under less restrictions to help boost the economy.
Mr. Abalos said the mayors will also push for a more gradual lowering of age limits on strict home quarantine.
Under the current general community quarantine level in Metro Manila, only those 18 years old to 65 are allowed to go out. Other areas allow those 15-65 as prescribed under national guidelines.
On the part of MMDA, Mr. Abalos said they will recommend to the Department of Transportation to allow more digital ride-hailing firms, or Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), to operate “for our economy to be lively.”
The MMC is the governing and policy-making body of the MMDA. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
