The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the country's chief economic development planner, said the country needs to strike a better balance in managing the health and economic threats, particularly in Metro Manila where almost a quarter of its population suffer from hunger.
Citing a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said the number of people who suffer from hunger in Metro Manila could be permanent due to continuing mobility restrictions.
Based on the SWS survey last November, Metro Manila has the highest incidence of hunger at 23.3 percent, translating to about 780,000 families. In areas under a more relaxed form of community quarantine, the hunger incidence is lesser.
In Mindanao, incidence of hunger was estimated at 16 percent in Mindanao, 14.4 percent in Balance Luzon, and 14.3 percent in the Visayas.
“Plans and programs, whether by the national government, local government units, businesses, and civil society, affect the lives of Filipinos and so everyone must always try to do better,” Chua said in a statement.
“Prolonged hunger can take away years of productivity, and sometimes this is passed on to children and grandchildren. So this cycle of poverty can affect generations to come,” the Cabinet official said.
Following a record economic contraction in 2020, Chua said the tradeoff is no longer between health and economy but between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 threats, such as hunger, poverty, and other disease.
“There are also many people who are in need of income so that they can avail of treatments, like dialysis, and other treatments. We also need to help people to commute to work and find jobs,” Chua said.
While the government is working very hard to manage the risk and see how it can be balanced better, Chua said “my fear is the effect on the people, especially the poor. The scarring can be permanent.”
The acting NEDA chief has been pushing for further easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila by providing sufficient and safe public transport as well as allow family activities with strict enforcement of minimum health standards.
Chua said Filipinos now know how to live with the virus and not get sick–by wearing masks, frequently washing hands, and practicing social distancing.