The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) laid out on Friday government measures to aid in the country’s economic recovery from recession.
The measures include the expected passage of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) that will provide additional funds to government projects against COVID-19, the continuation of the Build, Build, Build Program that is expected to create more jobs, and the passage of the 2021 national budget.
NEDA Acting Secretary Karl Chua believes that the reversion to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) of the National Capital Region (NCR) and its neighboring provinces can still help the country despite the economic slowdown brought about by the community quarantine.
“Yung ating MECQ, if ma-contain po natin (With the MECQ, if we can contain [the transmission]) in the next two weeks, and we can improve our health care system, then this will be actually good for the economy over all. Not immediate but in the near term,” Chua pointed out.
“If we did nothing right now, and continue po iyong GCQ while the health care system is in dire need of more help, hindi po sustainable ang ating economic recovery (our economic recovery would not be sustainable),” he added.
Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured the government has plans for those who lost their jobs.
“Ang ating gagawin nga po ay mayroon tayong ipa-pass na Bayanihan 2 kung saan tayo ay magbibigay ng napakaraming pautang at suporta para sa mga maliliit na negosyo, para magkaroon ng hanapbuhay ‘yung mga nawalan ng trabaho (Through the Bayanihan 2, we would give more loans and support to small businesses to provide livelihood to the unemployed),” Roque said.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras
