COVID-19 economic impact to be known by end-April, NEDA says

The government expects to have a clear picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the Philippine economy by the end of the month, a requisite assessment for the administration's recovery plan.

According to Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has already fielded surveys to estimate the economic impact of the pandemic.

"By the end of the month, malalaman na natin ang impact or ang total effect ng ating virus problema at base diyan, may evidence na tayo at makakapag-draft na tayo ng angkop at maayos na plan, so 'yun ang ating tututukan na priority," he said during the Laging Handa virtual briefing.

Chua earlier said crafting the Philippine recovery plan was among his priorities as the NEDA chief after he assumed office on Tuesday, April 21.

"Once na ma-control natin ito ay pupunta naman tayo sa susunod, 'yung recovery plan. Pero bago natin pag-usapan 'yung recovery plan ang importante dito ay alamin natin gano kalala ba ang impact nito at ng enhanced community quarantine sa mga negosyante lalo na sa mga maliliit na businesses," he said.

"Ang ginawa namin sa NEDA at sa gobyerno ay nag-field kami ng survey -- consumer survey, business survey, tapos may parating pa na mas malaking survey," added Chua.

Chua took over after former Secretary Ernesto Pernia -- who left his post as the NEDA chief last week -- said he chose to quit given the differences among other members of the economic cluster.

Pernia over the weekend said he wanted to continue serving the government in the fight against COVID-19, but his proposal to open up more economic activity was a "dissonant" voice in the Cabinet. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News