The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has adopted the 10-point policy agenda for the country’s economic recovery from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Malacañang said.
The 10-point policy agenda must be followed by all government departments and offices, acting Presidential Spokesperson, Communication Sec. Martin Andanar, said in a press statement.
The policy agenda was adopted under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 166 signed on March 21.
The EO directs the government offices to strengthen health care capacity; accelerate and expand the vaccination program; further reopen the economy and expand public transport capacity; resume face-to-face learning; reduce restrictions on domestic travel and standardize local government units’ requirements; and relax requirements for international travel.
It also mandates the national government to accelerate digital transformation through legislative measures; provide for enhanced and flexible emergency measures through legislation; shift the focus of decision-making and government reporting to more useful and empowering metrics; and undertake medium-term preparation for pandemic resilience.
Andanar said local government units are enjoined to adopt the same policies, measures, and programs to hasten the recovery of the Philippine economy.
The National Economic and Development Authority, he said, must ensure the government agencies’ implementation of the 10-point policy agenda on economic recovery.
Andanar said the NEDA is also mandated to periodically report the compliance of state departments and offices to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
EO 166 seeks to sustain current economic gains, minimize the pandemic’s long-term adverse effects, and restore the country’s development trajectory.
Malacañang earlier expressed optimism that EO 166 would also be implemented by the succeeding administrations. – PNA
April 20, 2024
