The head of the Provincial Planing and Development Office (PPDO) explains the socio-economic plan of the province as a way to mitigate the impact of the Covid pandemic.
Atty. John Titus Vistal, PPDO head, gave the explanation in a radio interview on Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Vistal said the provincial government came up with the ‘We Survive As One’ plan as the local counterpart of the national ‘Bayanihan We Heal As One’ law.
The goal of the province, Vistal said, is to ensure that Bohol is able to survive from the pandemic with the least number of Covid infection. As a result, Bohol will survive from the Covid ordeal as one, with emphasis on unity.
Vistal also said that the plan is primarily a relief package for the people who are impacted with the Covid infection.
The plan seeks to reinvigorate the Boholano economy that has been impacted by the Covid pandemic, Vistal mentioned in the interview.
Vistal said that the plan is the province’s economic stimulus package aiming to help several sectors especially micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs).
The plan will also fund small infrastructure projects that are aiming not just to spur economic activity but also to create employment.
Vistal said the fundamental focus of the plan is to keep the local economy alive as some local government units (LGUs) have focused on immediate relief assistance. There is a need to have a long-term strategy to keep the economy alive, which is currently struggling.
The province’s plan has been featured in some websites, hailing it as one of the best LGU plans in dealing with the pandemic, Vistal said. As a result, many provincial governors have inquired about the plan and have expressed interest to adopt Bohol’s plan in their respective provinces.