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The recent spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines should prompt our health authorities to reassess their strategy in battling the pandemic. Learning from the experiences of other countries like China, for one, will intelligently guide us in significantly containing the virus outbreak and reopening the economy at the same time, with lesser risks.

We expected the discouraging April unemployment figures given the lockdown imposed across the Philippines from March until now. The data simply stresses the need to reopen the economy further, but with caution.

Beginning June 1, the National Capital Region (NCR) transitioned back into the so-called General Community Quarantine (GCQ). This meant that while restrictions are still in place on people’s movements, many of our workers were allowed to go back to their jobs. While still limited, a portion of the public transportation system has resumed services to our people. By the third week of June, these services will be expanded to accommodate more commuters.