IF the Philippines will be able to resolve the pandemic-triggered crisis, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said local government units (LGU) outside Metro Manila need to play an active role in efforts to fight coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19).
In a statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said for one, LGUs can actively participate in the social amelioration program of the government by creating a database of poor and vulnerable households.
Pernia said LGUs can create their own registry by obtaining verifiable information of these households. The data can include demographic information, socioeconomic status, usual occupation, address, contact information, and whether they are currently receiving assistance from the government.
“We count on all LGUs, especially the Smart LGUs, to help us in brainstorming innovative ideas, and in implementing these interventions, to curb the spread of the disease in the regions,” Pernia said.
Obtaining information is just one way for LGUs to participate in national efforts. Pernia said LGUs can also put up temporary outpatient consultation facilities outside of hospitals.
This can go with efforts to facilitate the local production and delivery of the needed materials for the construction of these facilities, Pernia said.
He added that LGUs, if they are able, can also set up their own testing laboratories. Pernia said, however, that will have to be subjected to biosafety standards.
The Neda chief cited the need for LGUs to help the Department of Health and the Interagency Task Force with communicating urgent messages to their constituents, such as translating their guidelines into the local dialect.
“Smart LGUs can contribute even more. Now is the time for these LGUs to brainstorm on ways that they can contribute to this effort,” Pernia said.
To contain the spread of the disease, Neda said it is important for LGUs outside of the capital to be much better prepared.
Phase 1
The country is currently at Phase 1 of the mitigating measures to minimize the duration and contain the spread of the virus.
Phase 1a consists of interventions for early detection and testing, effective quarantine systems and management and treatment of cases.
“We identified ways on how LGUs can carry out the Phases 1a, 1b, and 1c of our proposed program of interventions to address the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Pernia, referring to a report assessing and addressing the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic it released last week.
To mitigate the social and economic impact of the pandemic, Neda has proposed a three-phased program of interventions.
This is composed of Phase 1a or the Clinical / Medical Response; Phase 1b, Public Health Response; Phase 1c, Short-term augmentation of health systems capacity; Phase 2, Rebuild consumer and business confidence; and Phase 3, Resume a new normal state of economic activity that is more prepared for another possible pandemic.