Senators frowned on Tuesday at Malacañang’s plan to extend its declaration of a state of calamity to one year saying the move is “too drastic” and “over-reacting.”

Senator Manuel Villar Jr. said the proposal has to be evaluated further because some areas affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng are already recovering from the deluge.

“There has to be a balance and a consensus. At this early, business groups are already wary about the idea, they should be consulted to see how it will affect them,” said Villar.

The Makati Business Club, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Federation of Philippine Industries and other business groups have expressed alarm on the planned extension of the state of calamity status, he said.

Villar said that many businesses see the move could create more problems for the country such as job losses and supply shortage. Other business groups also fear that it could lead to a declaration of a state of emergency and the exercise of police powers.

“It is understandable that we have to prioritize the needs of the flood victims but we have to take into account the repercussions of our actions to other sectors. In this case, if the business sector will be affected, it will have a chain reaction if our economy will slow down because of it,” he said.