AN Executive Order that details the government’s 10-point policy agenda on national economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Under Executive Order 166, it adopts and ratifies all measures in order to fast-track and sustain the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic, and will adopt what it calls a “whole-of-government approach” or strategy by the national government.
The EO states the need to strengthen the entire country’s healthcare capacity, and to speed up and expand the coverage of the COVID-19 vaccination program. It is also stated in the EO to report vital and significant metrics or data in relation to COVID-19 cases, and the overall number of people who already got COVID-19 vaccine jabs.
Also among those stated in the EO is the opening of a big part of the economy and expansion of public transport public transport capacity, while restrictions on domestic and international travels are slowly being loosened.
Included in the EO’s agenda is to do all things possible for the resumption of face-to-face classes.
The EO also states to speed up the country’s digital transformation by means of legislation, including implementation of emergency measures such as stand-by funds for use during a time of pandemic and other similar situations, and standardization of the Special Risk Allowance or SRA, hazard pay and other forms of compensation for the country’s health care workers.
On the other hand, the government will form a “Comprehensive Pandemic Response Framework” to ensure that the country will remain strong against another possible pandemic, and to maintain its health and social protection systems.
Meanwhile, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and the National Task Force against COVID-19 were tasked to ensure the correct implementation of the 10-point policy agenda, while the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will focus on the compliance of concerned government agencies and provide a report to the president.