The Social Weather Stations (SWS) National Mobile Phone Survey showing a big majority of Filipinos indicated that their quality of life got worse this year compared to a year ago is a cause of concern.
We understand this public sentiment considering that our government economists have mentioned that prior to COVID-19, the Philippines was among the fastest growing economies in the region, with low and stable inflation and lowest ever rates of unemployment, underemployment, and poverty. The coronavirus has indeed adversely affected our economy and people’s livelihood and business.
To mitigate the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19, government economists have prepared a whole-of-society program paramount in our recovery plan called Recharge PH, which seeks to refocus, sharpen the design and accelerate the implementation of programs under the 2020 General Appropriations. We will implement Recharge PH within 2020 and into 2021 and will be incorporated in the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
The government’s priority Build, Build, Build programs have also started, subject to health and safety protocols, to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
We are guided by ingat buhay para sa hanapbuhay as we resolve to recover gradually.
