"We are totally against a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) as it will lead to severe economic losses that will take longer to recoup," Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Steven Yu.

Yu issued the statement after Malacañang placed Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City and just today, Friday, July 30, 2021, Cebu City and City Province under MECQ from August 1 to August 15, 2021.

According to Yu, the business community supports the strict enforcement of health protocols and going into granular lockdowns as needed but not MECQ.

"You can close down a business sector anytime but to reopen and reboot it will take months and considering the present economic situation, it may just die and be permanently closed," Yu said.

"If you look at our vaccination rates, healthcare capacities and Emergency Operation Centers, there is absolutely no reason for an MECQ," he added. (JOB)