MEMBERS of the Western Visayas Economy Cluster of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease have convened mainly to mitigate economic fallout in the region due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The cluster is headed by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
It was activated through National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No.12, Series of 2020.
The online meeting attended by 29 member agencies recently primarily aims to determine the readiness of the region’s health and medical sector and identify areas most and least affected by Covid-19.
It was also aimed at identifying the economic drivers of the region as well as the problems and issues besetting them; discuss supply chain issues and pinpoint bottlenecks; and underscore preparations in anticipation of lifting quarantine measures.
Neda-Western Visayas director Ro-Ann Bacal said the Covid-19 pandemic calls for fast-tracking reforms to mitigate economic fallout.
Bacal said anticipatory and forward planning activities are needed to prepare for the “new normal.”
The meeting also enabled the agencies to report initiatives on containment efforts and on reducing the negative impacts associated with the virus.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the public should be ready to embrace a “new normal” where wearing of masks, physical distancing, cough etiquette and maintaining good hygiene will still be practiced even after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), meanwhile, in consultation with the Bureau of Quarantine and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, is set to prepare guidelines and coordinate assistance for transporting Overseas Filipino Workers back to the region.
The local government units (LGUs) were also requested to set-up quarantine facilities and to provide OFWs and stranded residents with information guide on how and where to take Covid-19 testing prior to repatriation.
On the rice supply concerns of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said these have been coordinated with the National Food Authority.
The DA will also communicate with their respective provincial and municipal agricultural offices to share production inventory to be able to assist in market matching.
Protocols and guidelines to be observed by the business industry will be prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in preparation for the lifting of ECQ.
The Department of Public Works and Highways, meanwhile, was commended for issuing guidelines to contractors for the continued implementation of infrastructure projects amid the quarantine setting.
Schools readied as quarantine facilities was confirmed by the Department of Education (DepEd) provided that LGUs will comply with the guidelines.
Moreover, one of the agreements was to recommend to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones to develop guidelines amending the allowable expenses under the Special Education Fund (SEF) under the Local School Boards to cover real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of teachers prior to school opening and other Covid-19 related expenses.
For its part, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)-Panay-Guimaras Office was requested to validate reports and gather information on the nature of business of Chinese vessels in Semirara Island, Antique.
The PPA was also requested to assign a regional point person to process request for data that involves the ports of Panay island, Guimaras and Negros Occidental.
To usher in a “new normal,” Bacal discussed the proposed household and work area “must-dos” to help minimize the transmission of the virus.
A proposed set of criteria that must be met by LGUs for lifting or relaxing quarantine impositions was also shared clarifying that these must be consistent with pronouncements by the IATF-EID.
Proposals and agreements will be presented to the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force Meeting today, April 24 at the Emergency Operations Center of Neda Western Visayas Office in Iloilo City.
A follow-up meeting by the cluster is scheduled on April 28. (With PR)