LGUS TOLD TO START PLANNING FOR RECOVERY

LGUs, classified as low-risk, can already start with their recovery efforts to protect jobs and stimulate economic activity

We need to recover now kahit ‘di pa tapos ang Covid-19 crisis kasi mas lalala ang epekto nito sa ekonomiya at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.

USEC. JONATHAN MALAYA DILG spokesperson

MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday, August 6, 2020, urged local government units (LGU) to start planning for their recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

DILG spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said they have prepared the “Ready to Recover (We Rise as One) Covid-19 Local Recovery Planning Guide”, with technical support from the World Bank, to help LGUs.

He said the planning guide will simplify recovery and rehabilitation planning to give LGUs flexibility in inserting interventions.

Malaya said it has sample frameworks, templates, and suggested programs, projects, and activities.

“We need to recover now kahit ‘di pa tapos ang Covid-19 crisis kasi mas lalala ang epekto nito sa ekonomiya at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.

“The DILG is collaborating with other national government agencies in the Interagency Task Force (IATF) to help LGUs prepare their recovery strategies and programs. The goal is to build back better,” he added.

Malaya said most of the localities, particularly those that were now classified as low-risk, can already start with their recovery efforts to protect jobs and stimulate economic activity.

“With private consumption and investment still down, it is now up to the national and local governments to drive consumption and investment with government spending and policies that support the growth and recovery of local businesses,” he said.

Malaya said there is no need for the LGUs to create a separate local body for the recovery planning and budgeting as it can already be done through the creation of an economic cluster within the existing Local

Covid-19 Task Force headed by a mayor or governor.

The DILG listed at least 10 sources of funds as well as national government programs and financing assistance programs of select government financial institutions (GFIs) and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Among these are the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) and Quick Response Fund of national government implementing agencies such as Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and Department of Health.