On self-sufficiency

BARELY TWO WEEKS as the Officer-in-charge of the Mabalacat City Agriculture Office, Rosan S. Paquia, EnP has acclimatized himself of the activities of the office which he holds concurrently as Chief of Staff and head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO).

Admitting that he is not an agriculture expert and a technocrat, he sees beyond the ordinary, using his keen observation and common sense. Thus, he met with former barangay chairmen like Jose "Peping" Fausto of Barangay Sta. Maria and others who compose the agriculture and fishery council of the City to suggest the correction of the imbalance between agriculture activities and food security and strengthen backyard farming by raising ducks, hens and chickens, including geese and turkeys and increase the supply of eggs. Self sufficiency in food cannot be far behind if the ideas of Rosan be taken in earnest.

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) leads all other agencies in government in finding ways to revive full recovery of the economy.

In its latest directive, it envisioned the easing of quarantine age restrictions to allow kids who are 10 years old to go out of their homes with their parents, guardians or those of age and observe the wearing of face masks and shields and other health protocols. This will help spur actively economic activity, according to the DTI.

Secretary Ramon Lopez

said he would propose this move to the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in its next meeting.

He added that by expanding the age group that can go out to include children who are 10 years old, consumption is expected to increase. "Roughly 30 to 50 percent of consumption and expenditure when outside is brought about by a complete family. When the children are with the parents, what is being consumed increases", Lopez remarked.

Even Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez expressed optimism that the Philippine economy will rebound in 2021 based on its ability to "reopen as safely as possible together

with a slew of pump priming measures buttressed by the government's strong fiscal position. Sana nga.

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With the expressions of optimism of these two government agencies, the IATF should look beyond the textbook guidelines in arriving at decisions regarding the current pandemic.

It should not be tied up to the old style but give weight to the prevailing favorable circumstances so that our economy will expand further.