Businessman Ramon Ang, top executive of diversified San Miguel Corp. is pushing for the extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine by two weeks to a month, choosing “life than money” as the country struggles to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“For me, we have to be sure, that when we are going to lift, we have already flattened the curve, otherwise when we lift it too early and then all of a sudden so many unknown cases comes out, then there’s going to be a lot of people, a lot of innocent people will die,” Ang said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
The lockdown, which began March 14 and is scheduled to end on April 14 unless otherwise extended, aimed to stem the spread of the pandemic across the country.
“For me, I would only lift this by the end of April or by May 15,” Ang said.
When asked about the possible impact of the extension to businesses, he said the entire world economy has been affected by COVID-19.
“At this point, what is most important today is life than money. Money we can make that money again but life, once you lose it, it is lost forever. So for me, if it’s life or money, I’ll choose life. Money we can make that later on,” said Ang, whose businesses involve food, transport, power and infrastructure.
“My advice to my fellow Filipinos is to eat live and also to stay home. Make sure that you don’t mix up with other people until such time that we have really found a vaccine or medicine to cure this coronavirus. Otherwise, a lot of innocent people will die,” he added.
Like many businesses, San Miguel has been doing its share to help the government combat the virus, spending P500 million to purchase personal protective equipment for frontline health workers.
Ang said the company is also coordinating with the Trade department to source locally the protective equipment.
“Most of this is going to be manufactured in Clark, Subic, all these export manufacturing zones. We have ordered ICU hazmat suit, gloves, goggles, surgical face mask. I think we should be able to give away quickly this safety equipment because its locally manufactured,” he said.