By Joseph Almer Pedrajas Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian has warned mall operators in the city that he will “not hesitate to suspend” their business permits should they violate quarantine protocols following the easing of the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) on Saturday. Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian (Rex Gatchalian official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Gatchalian said that while he did "not personally agree" with the opening of malls under the modified ECQ, the local government "has to follow the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)," which has allowed them to resume operations. The local chief executive emphasized that he will ensure that his constituents are safe from the risk of the new wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread. "Let this be a warning that if we catch violations to the rules of the IATF by mall operators, I will not hesitate to suspend your business permits," he said in a Twitter post late Friday, "And also, by the way, another ordinances during this MECQ time will be fine and community service by the mall owners." Early this week, Gatchalian already stressed that everyone should not suffer, which referred to being locked down, by the fault and negligence of one. So, he said, the local government has to take drastic measures against quarantine violators, even if it means revocation of their business permits. "The penalty is stiff because the consequence of them disregarding the social distancing rule is even stiffer. It's hard to be placed on lockdown again," he said. On Friday, Valenzuela City issued guidelines for mall operators that include: limiting the number of people inside their establishments to not more than half of their total capacity, adjusting the air-conditioning units to 26 degrees celsius and removing free wi-fi and internet connection. Cinemas, kid amusement areas and event centers are also not allowed to open. Only those businesses that fall under the guidelines of the national government can operate. "Aside from Workforce and Workplace Management Plan, mall operators are also required to submit the list of stores that will operate inside the establishment within three days after opening," the city's guideline also reads. Gatchalian said that business process outsourcing (BPO) workers, particularly those who have graveyard shifts, are also still covered by the curfew under modified ECQ. "In the original memo from the national government during the ECQ, your employers, in order to operate, must have provided housing for you near your work places...so by now, you should already have housing," he said. Tricycles, pedicabs and electric scooters are now allowed in Valenzuela but with limited number of passengers allowed. Tricycles and pedicabs should only have a maximum of one passenger while e-scooters should have a maximum of three. A number coding scheme and a new fare matrix will also be applied. Residents and other business operators wanting to know more about the city's guidelines under the modified ECQ may visit Valenzuela City's Facebook page for complete details.