NEDA wants localized lockdowns as COVID-19 cases spike

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which previously called for the reopening of the economy to boost growth, is now pushing for localized lockdowns amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases a year after the quarantines started.

Acting NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua on Sunday said it is not choosing between the economy and health, but rather focusing on the total well-being of the Philippine population, whether it be related to the pandemic or otherwise.

"We need to continue managing risks as COVID cases rise. We do this by focusing on localized quarantines and addressing the sources of highest risk, so that the jobs/livelihood of the far majority will not be affected," he said in a message to reporters.

"The issue we face now is not economy vs. health. It is the total health of the people, whether from COVID, non-COVID sickness, or hunger," he added.

Chua cited that a year after the lockdowns, there have been 3.2 million or 23% of the National Capital Region (NCR) who have experienced hunger; 506,000 unemployees in Metro Manila; and the quarantines have cost the NCR and adjacent provinces P700 million in wages.

"We also have much higher deaths due to non-COVID because many can't afford treatment. High burden disease claims in PhilHealth is 75% down... We also have to look after their welfare," said Chua.

The statement comes a day after the Philippines reported 7,999 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, its highest daily tally to date. This brings the total to 656,056 which includes 80,642 active cases; 562,484 recoveries; and 12,930 deaths.

NEDA last week already implemented a skeleton workforce also due to the spike in COVID-19 cases being reported across the country.

Earlier this month, economic managers including Chua pushed for the further reopening of the economy despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Signed by Chua, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, the statement was released by the economic managers after the government reported that unemployed Filipinos rose by 1.6 million in January.

Chua in January said Filipino families lost P1.4 trillion in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, equivalent to P2.8 billion daily spending power lost. —KG, GMA News