By BEN BALCE, Associate Editor
CHAIR of the Cagayan de Oro City Council’s committee on trade and commerce Councilor George Goking on Thursday batted for continuity of business activities at limited operating capacity.
Goking pointed out that even if the council passed a resolution requesting Mayor Oscar Moreno and the city’s Covid-19 Task Force to consider the provisional opening of operations of business establishments, still, this will depend on the wisdom and decision of the implementing office.
“Amid worsening unemployment rate in the city, the idea is, businesses, economic activities should continue at all alert levels and just change the operating capacity," Goking said.
He also said that through the safety seal certification program by the trade department could win to get customers back.
“Safety seal aims to assure the public of an establishment's compliance set by the government,” said Goking.
He said that businesses are encourage the adoption of the seal to effectively contain the spread of the Covid-19; and safely reopening.
Goking also told Gold Star Daily to review the lists on work-related businesses for revenue generations.
He said to lessen the unemployment issue, it should even allow the opening of indoor sports, like badminton, on top of the gyms and fitness centers.
DTI earlier said, restaurants will be enabled to increase capacity in their outdoor dining spaces to 75% and operate indoor areas at 50% capacity under general community quarantine (GCQ).
Since June until September 30, the city banned indoor sports events, gyms, amusement parks, and indoor entertainment venues from operating.
“So the approach is to have continuity in operations and jobs, regardless of (alert) level. Changes only in operating capacity,” said Goking.
Limited opening of business facilities really hurt the economy, added Goking.
He maintained that the hotels and restaurants in the city should be opened, after Cagayan de Oro’s hotel industry had been brought to its knees due to almost four months of restrictive quarantine protocols.
On September 24, the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara) sent a letter to the regional Inter-Agency Task Force, saying that many of the hotels would have to stop operations or close shop if quarantine conditions would continue to be implemented.
According to him, IATF even the city government is still now in the prevention mood.
The alert level system determines the lockdown restrictions implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with level 1 being the least strict.
He said, the idea is “really just to reduce operating capacity every time an alert level increased.”
He added that there could still be a list of businesses excluded from being allowed to open, although this would be a shorter list consisting of “high risk non-essentials.”
“Exercise is really one vital activity for anyone to increase immunity levels,” Goking said adding that the resumption of some fitness facilities and other related tourism establishments are required.
However, He maintained that during this time, the strict implementation of health protocols is much needed.
“It’s true and we are thankful that the rate of Covid cases is decreasing but we still have to observe these protocols and pursue measures to fight the pandemic,” he said, hoping that the next months will be better for all.
