The National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office VI conducted a video conference on April 25, 2020 focussing on preparations of the COVID-19 Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (RRP) for Western Visayas.
Presided by NEDA-VI Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal, a total of 67 participants composed of regional directors, assistant directors and representatives of various regional line agencies (RLAs), provincial and city planning and development coordinators of the local government units (LGUs) and the presidents and key officials of state universities and colleges (SUCs).
During the conference, RD Bacal discussed the report of the IATF-TWG on Anticipatory and Forward Planning (AFP) and the guidelines on the preparation of RRP for Western Visayas. She also discussed the rehabilitation and recovery framework that will serve as overall guide in the formulation of inputs from various agencies, SUCs, GOCCs and GFIs.
Utilizing the “We Recover As One” technical paper and general expectation of the “new normal”, the RLAs, LGUs and SUCs were requested to identify critical issues, challenges and concerns faced by their respective sectors during the time of pandemic and to review and redesign programs, projects and activities (PPAs) to strengthen the region’s resilience in future emergencies such as the COVID-19 crisis. Estimated budgetary requirements for the implementation of priority PPAs will be incorporated covering the period: 2nd semester of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The CY 2021 slice will be included in the agency budget proposals for GAA funding.
The local government units will come up with their respective provincial, city, and municipal Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan and will cover interventions that will be funded by their own revenues, internal revenue allotments, and other source.
The conference concluded with agreements on the timetable for submitting the inputs, the conduct of focus group discussions and key informant interviews, the consolidation of the draft RRP for Western Visayas, presentation among the RDC sector committees, and submission to the NEDA Regional Development Group on May 15th. (PFPD/NEDA-VI)
