MANILA – The government is continuously working on programs that would help severely affected sectors to cope with the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the head of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said in a news release issued on Tuesday.
“We are starting to see a U-turn in the trajectory of economic activity and manufacturing production. While we are not yet in the positive territory, we are hoping that we can continue to manage this recovery as best as we can,” acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in his presentation during a webinar hosted by Globe MyBusiness Academy, in partnership with the Alumni Association of Xavier School and Chinoy TV, last week.
Chua said the government’s recovery program comprises three big areas: the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2), the “Build, Build, Build” program, and the 2021 budget.
Under Pillars 1 and 2 of the government’s phased and adaptive recovery approach, PHP655 billion has been allocated to help people cope with the pandemic and improve the country’s health care system.
This includes the ramped-up spending to protect some 18 million low-income households and 3.1 million workers of small businesses.
“Moving forward, we are optimistic that the Bayanihan 2 will help the country bounce back from the crisis with its improved provisions on the health care system, public transport, and restoring consumer demand,” he said, adding that the government would also provide equity support to distressed firms that are deemed strategic and allow banks to dispose of bad loans and assets so they can serve more businesses.
In addition, Chua said the government is focusing on enhancing the productivity of the agriculture sector, as it also plays a crucial role in the country’s economic recovery.
“There's no way for the Philippines to complete its structural transformation if we don't make the agriculture sector productive. We have already taken huge steps through the Rice Tariffication Law and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. We can also do more through our infrastructure and logistics programs,” he said. (PR)
