THE localized, or “granular,” lockdowns in effect in areas with high Covid-19 cases will prevent the wholesale disruption of the jobs and livelihoods of majority of Filipinos, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
In a statement on Friday, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua assured the public that the government’s priority at this time is to ensure the well-being and safety of Filipinos while providing them with opportunities to earn a living.
Chua noted that when the quarantine restrictions were gradually relaxed, significant improvements were seen. Around 1.4 million jobs were recovered in the last quarter of 2020, and the hunger incidence improved in areas outside NCR with less stringent forms of quarantine.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has taken a careful and calibrated approach by focusing on localized quarantines and addressing the sources of highest risk, so that the jobs and livelihood of the far majority will not be affected,” Chua said.
Chua stressed that addressing the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases remains the top priority for the IATF. The government will continue increasing testing capacity.
In a recent briefing, the government said the country now has 229 testing laboratories and conducts more than 50,000 tests daily, unlike in early 2020 when we had “almost zero” capability to screen individuals for Covid-19.
However, improvements in testing now allow Filipinos to get their results in less than 24 hours compared to three weeks in the past. The Philippines tested 9.1 million individuals as of March 21, 2020, according to the Department of Health.
Chua added that the government also aims to roll out the vaccination program while adhering to minimum health and safety standards.
However, Chua raised the alarm on the growing number of people who are suffering from other diseases—such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension—and are not able to seek treatment either due to lack of resources for healthcare, mobility restrictions, or the fear of getting infected in the hospitals.
“To help Filipinos cope with the impact of the pandemic and the community quarantines, the 2021 budget has 284 billion pesos worth of subsidies and assistance. We need to ensure that the implementation of these programs are accelerated,” Chua said.
“Our concern is that this year or next year, there will be more people afflicted with these diseases who are no longer able to get well or get better because they had foregone treatment last year. We also have to think about their welfare. This is why Neda is recommending a holistic and balanced approach to help those suffering from Covid, non-Covid illnesses, or even hunger and joblessness,” he explained.
Image credits: Roy Domingo