NEDA chief: Gov’t should loosen restrictions to boost economy
The
government should carry out a policy balancing its fight against the spread of
the coronavirus and reviving the economy, the acting chief of the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Monday.
 |
President Rodrigo
Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the
Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the
people at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on February
15, 2021. ALBERTO ALCAIN/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO |
During
a presentation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte aired Monday night, acting
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua made a recommendation to put the
country under a less restrictive modified general community quarantine (MGCQ)
to boost the economy.
“Iyong
aking ibabahagi ‘yong kailangan po natin mag-shift sana sa lalong madaling
panahon to MGCQ for the entire Philippines. Sana starting March 1, 2021 para
i-address po ‘yong hunger or ‘yong mataas na antas ng mga Pilipino po na
nagugutom,” Chua said in his presentation.
He
said that the government’s quarantine restriction since March 2020 has resulted
in a total income loss of P1.04 trillion last year, with an average daily loss
of P2.8 billion.
On
average, the annual income loss for every worker is P23,000 per worker, Chua
said, noting that since the government restricted some sectors from operating,
many workers lost their jobs.
Losing
jobs impacted on workers’ income as well as on their livelihood, he said. “So
ang recommendation po namin ay dapat ibalanse po natin.”
Citing
a November Pulse Asia survey, Chua said 73 percent of those surveyed said the
government has to balance the opening of the economy and the control of the
virus.
“So
hindi po naman natin sinasabi na ibukas lang natin ‘yong ekonomiya at huwag na
nating pakialaman ‘yong COVID cases kailangan po natin both,” he said.
“At
nakita po natin na nagbukas po tayo last October at ‘yong dumaan po ‘yong
Christmas vacation, hindi po naman umakyat ‘yong COVID cases.”
NEDA
has spelled out recommendations, which were already approved by the IATF,
hoping that the President will also approve the proposal.
Among the recommendations are the further opening of the economy to MGCQ for the entire Philippines, especially NCR starting March 21 aimed at mitigating or lessening sickness, hunger, poverty, job and income losses arising from non-COVID cases.
Chua
has suggested using localized lockdown in the barangay or municipal levels to
address the local spread of the coronavirus.
The
government should also open more public transport routes with proper safeguards
to help workers, Chua said, adding public transport capacity should be expanded
from 50 percent to 75 percent.
Inter-province
bus operation must be augmented and bike lanes must also be set up to help
workers using alternative forms of transportation.
The
government should also allow more people to go out by expanding the age group
allowed in public places. This must be done, however, with corresponding
safeguards, according to Chua.
“Iyong
safeguard naman, puwede lang lumabas ‘yong kabataan with their parents only, or
initially, they can go out to more open areas at hindi naman ibig sabihin na
pupunta sila sa malls,” he said.
“Pero
kung puwede pong lumabas ‘yong kabataan with safeguards, it will allow also
their parents to work and get a job."
There
is an ongoing discussion with Metro Manila mayors to gradually expand the age
group allowed to go out. Currently, only those aged 15 to 65 are allowed in
public places. Chua suggested for a gradual expansion from aged five to 70. PND
