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Last May 16, government authorities began a gradual transition to reopening some economic and social activities in selected areas of the country. As I wrote in previous columns, this is something that we need to do: an incremental lifting of some restrictions stifling the economy and the livelihood of our people, at the same time crafting and implementing protocols in order to prevent a second wave of infections.

Any form of easing the quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines will be good news for every Filipino, especially for our workers who are raring to reclaim their jobs and their modest earnings.

It’s time for a calibrated end to the lockdown.

Last week, economic managers announced that the Philippine economy has contracted 0.2% in the first quarter through March, ending our economy’s marvelous growth streak for 21 years. Fitch Ratings has also revised its Outlook on the Philippines’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to Stable from Positive, reflecting its view on the deterioration of our near-term macroeconomic and fiscal outlook as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Luzon-wide lockdown.