The government has crafted its initial draft sustainable recovery plan from the coronavirus threat, that includes the shift to the new normal state of activities.
In his sixth weekly report to Congress, President Duterte said the first draft of the “We Recover as One” technical paper is under review by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The proposal will eventually be shared with lawmakers for possible consideration on budget priorities for next year.
“The first draft of We Recover as One, a technical paper which outlines the there phases of the government’s response against COVID-19, namely (1) response, (2) mitigation, and (3) transition to the new normal was circulated among IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) principals for their review and comments,” Duterte said in his report.
“NEDA is currently reviewing the submissions of the respective member agencies of the IATF on said paper,” he added.
Additional new normal strategies and priority programs and projects for inclusion in the recovery plan will also be tackled by NEDA and other inter-agency committees.
The President said the We Recover as One proposal will also be shared with other government agencies as well as Congress as a “working paper for initiatives to rebuild consumer and business confidence as well as possible basis for the 2021 Budget Priorities Framework.”
Metro Manila and other areas with high risk of coronavirus spread have been placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15 to stem the disease outbreak.
The government, on the other, hand has eased quarantine restrictions in several moderate and low risk areas. Under general community quarantine (GCQ), public transportation has been allowed at reduced capacity while several businesses and services can resume operations subject to health protocols.
Duterte explained that the extension of the quarantine would “give us time to build on our existing response measures and prepare as best as we can for what we will probably be our ‘new normal.'”
Meanwhile, the government is likewise working with foreign development partners to enhance its coronavirus response as well as economic stimulus program.
Duterte said NEDA and the Department of Finance are working with the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the latter’s COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program.
The program seeks to strengthen the government’s efforts to implement public expenditures to combat the disease, finance social protection programs, and provide economic stimulus for affected sectors and industries.
He said NEDA has also coordinated with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in crafting the proposed COVID-19 Response in Assisting Philippine Industries and Small and Medium Enterprises. The proposal includes strengthening healthcare, safety systems, and capacities to respond to the coronavirus, supporting the recovery of the economy through the growth of small businesses, assessing socio-economic impact, and crafting policy advice.
He said NEDA is also studying the feasibility of adopting the UNDPs’ COVID-19 Integrated Response to pre-surge, surge, and recovery phases. The three priorities of the UNDP plan are health systems support, inclusive and integrated crisis management and response, and social and economic impact needs assessment and response.
In preparation for the recovery phase, Duterte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has conducted an online conference with regional partners on livelihood assistant grants program.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies team has also prepared simulations on the impact of different policy scenarios on coronavirus cases to provide the IATF with parameters for the partial or total lifting, extension, or expansion of the ECQ, the President said.
In his sixth weekly report to Congress, President Duterte said the first draft of the “We Recover as One” technical paper is under review by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). The proposal will eventually be shared with lawmakers for possible consideration on budget priorities for next year.
“The first draft of We Recover as One, a technical paper which outlines the there phases of the government’s response against COVID-19, namely (1) response, (2) mitigation, and (3) transition to the new normal was circulated among IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) principals for their review and comments,” Duterte said in his report.
“NEDA is currently reviewing the submissions of the respective member agencies of the IATF on said paper,” he added.
Additional new normal strategies and priority programs and projects for inclusion in the recovery plan will also be tackled by NEDA and other inter-agency committees.
The President said the We Recover as One proposal will also be shared with other government agencies as well as Congress as a “working paper for initiatives to rebuild consumer and business confidence as well as possible basis for the 2021 Budget Priorities Framework.”
Metro Manila and other areas with high risk of coronavirus spread have been placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15 to stem the disease outbreak.
The government, on the other, hand has eased quarantine restrictions in several moderate and low risk areas. Under general community quarantine (GCQ), public transportation has been allowed at reduced capacity while several businesses and services can resume operations subject to health protocols.
Duterte explained that the extension of the quarantine would “give us time to build on our existing response measures and prepare as best as we can for what we will probably be our ‘new normal.'”
Meanwhile, the government is likewise working with foreign development partners to enhance its coronavirus response as well as economic stimulus program.
Duterte said NEDA and the Department of Finance are working with the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank on the latter’s COVID-19 Active Response and Expenditure Support Program.
The program seeks to strengthen the government’s efforts to implement public expenditures to combat the disease, finance social protection programs, and provide economic stimulus for affected sectors and industries.
He said NEDA has also coordinated with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in crafting the proposed COVID-19 Response in Assisting Philippine Industries and Small and Medium Enterprises. The proposal includes strengthening healthcare, safety systems, and capacities to respond to the coronavirus, supporting the recovery of the economy through the growth of small businesses, assessing socio-economic impact, and crafting policy advice.
He said NEDA is also studying the feasibility of adopting the UNDPs’ COVID-19 Integrated Response to pre-surge, surge, and recovery phases. The three priorities of the UNDP plan are health systems support, inclusive and integrated crisis management and response, and social and economic impact needs assessment and response.
In preparation for the recovery phase, Duterte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has conducted an online conference with regional partners on livelihood assistant grants program.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies team has also prepared simulations on the impact of different policy scenarios on coronavirus cases to provide the IATF with parameters for the partial or total lifting, extension, or expansion of the ECQ, the President said.
