Nat’l budget should allow Pinoys to learn new skill sets for ‘new normal’ after COVID-19 —Pimentel

Learning new skill sets for a post-pandemic society must be factored in the crafting of the national budget, according to Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday.

He said this after Dr. Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO chair for Futures Studies, said that countries will have to adapt to the societal changes that have and will take place because of COVID-19.

"The future seems strange... We're all in this situation together—some poor, some richer, and it seems unequal but we all have to learn new skill sets," Inayatullah said in a hearing led by Senator Pia Cayetano.

The resource person added that these new skills would help countries to be "far more prepared for the future they wish to see."

Pimentel took this as a good insight and stressed that the welfare of all sectors including the elderly must be taken into consideration in budget allocations as the Philippines adjusts to the new normal.

"When we do the budget for our country, we should be more conscious that if we are to do some affirmative action or some support, then we have to anticipate the sectors which will have difficulty adjusting to this more complicated future," the senator said.

"The future society must be more compassionate and understanding," he added.

Some employees have shifted to work from home schemes due to temporary shutdown of several establishments and mass transportation due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 30.

This quarantine measure has been extended until May 15 over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and other high-risk areas in the country. A modified one will take effect starting May 16.

While some have thrived by relying on internet connections, other laborers—like jeepney drivers, ambulant vendors, and other members of the informal sector—have experienced a total halt in their livelihood simply because they cannot take their work home.

The Philippines' education sector was also forced to shift to online platforms and home-based learning towards the end of the school year and the opening of classes was pushed back to the latter part of August due to the health crisis. — BM, GMA News