Covid-19 and the SDGs
To minimize the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the following need to be implemented in the short- to medium- term:
| PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES |
| For the rest of 2020 | |
| Operational budgets of government hospitals, especially those involved in COVID-19 treatment, prevention, and control of other infectious diseases; emergency preparedness and response; and Quick Response Fund | DOH |
| Increase the operational budget of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) | UP-PGH |
| For 2021 | |
| Expand spending on medical infrastructure: new hospitals, health, and critical care facilities, laboratories, as well as acquisition of medical equipment, medevac and ambulance vehicles, and stockpiling of PPEs, test kits, medicines, vaccines, etc. | DOH, LGUs |
| Sustain budget for regular health programs (e.g., Immunization Program, Maternal, Newborn and Child health, Tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, Family Planning, etc.) | DOH, LGUs |
| Incentivize, subsidize, and support researchers and research institutions who will engage in research and development related to development of test kits, medical equipment, vaccines (e.g.COVID-19 vaccine), medicine, and others. |
DOST-PCHRD, DOH, CHED,,HEIs |
| Increase budget to improve health data systems (Unified Health Data Dashboard for disease surveillance and monitoring; and Health Information Exchange) | DOH, LGUs |
| Sustain budget for indigents under PhilHealth to cover emerging or re-emerging diseases | PhilHealth |
| Draft the National HRH Masterplan, the long-term strategic plan for the management and development of HRH to include contingency plans for national public health emergencies (i.e., recruitment for medical reservists), and the National Health Workforce Registry | DOH |
| Ensure budget for the implementation of the UHC Law and First 1000 Days | DOH, PhilHealth, NNC |
| PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES |
| For the rest of 2020 | |
| Various programs: Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, distribution of food and non-food items, livelihood assistance grants, and supplemental feeding for daycare children | DSWD, LGUs |
| Quick Response Funds | DSWD |
| Integration of savings mobilization as a component of all social protection programs | DSWD |
| For 2021 | |
| Provision of automated teller machine cards to senior citizens | DSWD, LGUs |
| PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES |
| For the rest of 2020 | |
| School-based feeding program | DepEd |
| Improve existing online platforms | DepEd, CHED, TESDA |
| Tap the ICT for the Alternative Learning System (ICT4ALS) Project of DepEd and UNICEF | DepEd |
| Realign funds for teacher training to enable them to teach flexible learning options and blended learning | DepEd, CHED, TESDA |
| For 2021 | |
| Develop learning and teaching modules for flexible learning options, and radio or TV classes, including e-learning materials (modularized for students, teachers, and parents) | DepEd, CHED, TESDA |
| Provide communication/internet allowance for teachers and Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP) beneficiaries | DepEd, CHED, TESDA |
| Expand the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GATSPE) coverage to elementary | DepEd |
| Expand DepEd’s Computerization Program | DepEd |
| Develop a national e-learning platform (web-based and app-based) |
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, PRC, DICT |
| Increase budget for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education and Technical-Vocational and Education and Training | CHED, TESDA |
| Realign funds for the improvement of information technology (IT) infrastructure (both hardware and software) for the TESDA Online Program courses | TESDA |
| Develop a Learning Management System to easily track learner progress and performance | TESDA |
| Procure courses from other online institutions and develop future-ready courses in TESDA Online Program and MOOCs of higher education institutions (HEIs) | TESDA, CHED |
| PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES |
| For the rest of 2020 | |
| Conduct skills retooling programs through flexible and blended training arrangements to improve employability of displaced workers | TESDA, DOLE |
| Tap and fast-track the implementation of the Tulong Trabaho Fund | TESDA |
| Expand unemployment benefits to include temporarily laid off workers | SSS, DOLE |
| Expand awareness and coverage of the Employees’ Compensation Program | ECC, DOLE |
| Institutionalize the provision of PPEs by employers to prevent spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. | DOLE |
| For 2021 | |
| Improve social protection programs and income support systems through unemployment insurance, emergency employment, and wage subsidies | SSS, DOLE |
| Intensify financial literacy programs for the vulnerable sector | DOLE, PESOs |
| Issue training vouchers to individuals, which can be availed through institution-based, enterprise-based, or online modalities for the upskilling or retooling of learners and workers (similar to the Skills Future Singapore model) | TESDA |
| Establish additional mobile training laboratories (MTLs) and equip all these laboratories with computers and internet connectivity | TESDA |
| PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES |
| For the rest of 2020 | |
| Review DOTr’s remaining budget for the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in 2020 and allocate funds to allow for regulatory shift towards industry consolidation and service contract–based provision of public transport services. | DOTr |
| For 2021 | |
| Housing Rental Subsidy Program for low-income ISFs | DSHUD, NHA |
| Purchase high-end temperature scanners and disinfectants to be placed in major international airports and domestic ports across the country for mandatory inbound and outbound temperature screening of passengers; Allocate or propose budget for medical clinics and personnel equipped to handle sick passengers; disinfection materials must be also purchased for all public transportation. |
DOTr, DOH
|
| Implement the Metro Manila Route Rationalization Study under the PUVMP in priority areas. |
DOTr |
| Allot funds for procurement of relevant IEC materials and supplies for distribution to accredited establishments, such as medical/hygienic kits, disinfectant kits for tourism transport vehicles, among others. |
DOT, DOTr, DOH
|
Related Articles
Central Luzon Regional Stakeholders’ Chamber on the SDGs convenes its organizational meeting
NEDA 3, as RDC III Secretariat, spearheaded the conduct of the organizational meeting of Regional Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 25 September 2024 at Residencia Romero, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
NEDA CONDUCTS WORKSHOP TO CRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR ACHIEVING SDGs
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), as Secretariat of the Subcommittee on Sustainable Development Goals (SC-SDG) and its Stakeholders’ Chamber, held a workshop on Monday, September 30, 2024, to solicit ideas and inputs for the formulation of an indicator and strategy framework designed to guide non-government sector’s actions, as partners in achieving the SDGs.
