The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and Regional Inter-Agency Task Group (RIATG) for Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) is now preparing for the formulation of a rehabilitation and resiliency plan for the recovery of the region from the consequences of COVID-19.
“Our objective is to assess the economic and social positive and negative effects and long-term-impacts of COVID-19 in the Cordillera Region and propose region-specific recovery framework and strategies,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) Regional Director Milagros A. Rimando said.
Given the COVID-19 situation with overlapping functions and activities within the four disaster management thematic areas, Cordillera RDRRMC and RIATG Chairperson Albert A. Mogol emphasized that the process for the preparation of the post-COVID-19 recovery and resiliency plan will take place while the response activities are well on their way.
The assessment will include two (2) important components: Loss Assessment which will be used in determining the macroeconomic effects; and the Human Recovery Needs Assessment (HRNA) for human development effects and social impact assessment of the pandemic. The Plan will cover four (4) broad sectors including Productive, Infrastructure, Social and Cross Sectors, as well as concerns of micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs), tourism, labor and employment and health research and development.
To measure the impact on macro-economic variables, the post-disaster performance on gross domestic product (GDP), and other fiscal indicators will be analyzed. The assessment of losses will provide an indication of the reduction or decline in economic activity and in personal and household income. The estimates will then be analyzed to establish overall needs to achieve full recovery of economic activities at the macro-economic level and at the individual or household level.
According to Ferdinand Tamulto, head of the Policy Development and Planning Section of OCDCAR, the preparation for the Cordillera Regional Recovery and Resiliency Plan will be implemented in 3 phases: Phase 1: Sectoral baseline data gathering; Phase 2: Conduct of Losses Assessment, Social Impact Assessment and Macro-Economic Assessment; and Phase 3: Analysis and identification of programs, projects, activities and policy recommendations for the Cordillera RRP.
“Through all the said phases, the framework of the PDNA will be used a primary guide. However, certain modifications were introduced to address cross-cutting concerns specifically for COVID19,” Mr. Tamulto added.
In the Joint RDRRMC-RIATG Meeting held on April 14, 2020, the body approved the implementation plan for the said matter. NEDA-CAR as the Vice Chair for Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery of the RDRRMC will lead and coordinate the preparation and formulation of the plan.
Press release