Capitol prepares pandemic economic recovery plan
ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. estimated at more than P10 billion the losses which the province incurred from March 15 to April 30 when the enhanced community quarantine was imposed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
To cushion the impact of the pandemic on the local economy, the provincial government has started crafting a rehabilitation and recovery strategy plan, he revealed.
Capitol released the following data (losses due to the pandemic) over the weekend:
* tourism sector – P1.1 billion
* business and trade industry – P4.8 billion
* agriculture sector – P103 million
* transport sector – P59.8 million for jeepneys and P44.6 million for buses
Losses from the sea and air transport have yet to be determined.
Defensor said 379,060 formal and informal workers from 38 local government units in the province were affected by the health crisis, resulting in roughly P2.4 billion losses in employment.
Stoppage in construction projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways – Western Visayas resulted in a loss of P117 million, affecting 5,280 workers.
About P2 billion was cut from the income of the Business Process Outsourcing industry.
Defensor said agriculture, tourism and public transportation would be prioritized.
“Our priority will be agriculture. There are a lot of unsold products, as well as loss in capital. Then the tourism industry because of zero tourist arrivals. Another priority is public transport. But of course, everybody is affected,” Defensor said.
The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) has been preparing a draft recovery plan, which would be converted into programs and projects that would uplift the economy.
“You have the direction, which is this, but you must have the budget. What will you add to the strategy and budget of the province for 2020? That is the challenge. What will be your innovations for you to say that you have a recovery program that will really stimulate the economy?” Defensor said. (PNA/PN)
