Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate ......Briones, 2013 Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal,

Davao Region

Recovery and Resiliency Program

to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal,

2020-2022

Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19

and to Adapt to the New Normal, 2020-2022 | ii

© 2020 by the Regional Development Council XI

All rights reserved. Any part of this publication may be used and reproduced,

provided proper acknowledgement is made.

Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID 19 and to Adapt to the New Normal, 2020-2022

Published by:

National Economic and Development Authority XI

Regional Development Council XI

NEDA-RDC XI Center, Km. 7, Bangkal, Davao City

Tel. Nos.: (082) 296-0160 to 64

Email: [email protected]

nro11.neda.gov.ph

Printed in the Philippines

mailto:[email protected]


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CONTENTS

Page

Executive Summary xiii Background 1

COVID-19 Transmission 1

National Government Pronouncements 2

Regional Task Force 11-COVID 19 Pronouncements 3

Local Government Pronouncements 5

NTF-TWG on Anticipatory and Forward Planning 6

Objectives of the Recovery and Resiliency Program 7

Promote Confidence in Health Systems 7 Rebuild Consumer and Business Confidence 7

Formulate Policies and Programs to Adapt to a ‘New Normal State

of Economic Activities 7

Reduce Uncertainties Through Provision of Right and Timely Information

to the Public 8

Estimate the Cost of Future Preparedness Including Determining the Role

of Public Health Insurance 8

The Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal: A Phased and Adaptive Approach 9

Chapter 1 Conveying the Right Information to the Public to Gain Public Trust and Confidence 11

Framework: Building confidence through access to right information 11

Social Media Analytics 12

Determining Information Needs 12

Protocols for Information Management and Reporting 13

Sample Dashboard and Available Data 15

Packaging the data to provide clear and understandable information 18

Chapter 2 Mitigating Losses 23

Assessment 23

Social Impact 27

Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Impact 37

Industry and Services Sector Impact 38


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Chapter 3 Defining the New Normal 47

Parameters for lifting restrictions 47

Characterizing the “new normal” 61

Political 61

Economic 65

Social 82

Technology 87

Legal 90

Environment 94

Strategies 102

Phased and adaptive recovery approach 103

Whole-of-society approach to adapt to the “new normal” 121

Government-led, LGU-enabled, people-centered interventions 124

Chapter 4 Priority Programs, Activities and Projects (PPAs) 129

Economic 132

Production 132

Financial Assistance 139

Employment Assistance 140

Social 141

Health 141

Education 149

Protection 152

Environment 153

Governance 162

Annexes 173

IATF-MEID Resolutions 173

RTF XI-COVID19 Resolutions 179

RTF XI COVID19 Orders 182

Local Government Pronouncements 184


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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Page

Chapter 1 Conveying the Right Information to the Public to Gain Public Trust and Confidence

Figure 1.1 Framework for COVID-19 Information 11

Figure 1.2 Communication Phases to Build Confidence and Adapt to

the New Normal 13

Chapter 2 Mitigating Losses

Table 2.1 Cereals, Vegetables and Fruits Supply Inventory and Projection,

in Metric Tons (MT), by Province/Region, April 15, 2020 26

Table 2.2 Livestock Supply Inventory and Projection, in Metric Tons (MT),

by Region, April 15, 2020 27

Table 2.3 Business Establishments affected by ECQ (until May 15, 2020),

by Type of Enterprise, Davao Region (validated on May 22, 2020) 41

Table 2.4 Number of Business Establishments that remains affected

and which resumed operations under GCQ (until May 27, 2020),

by Type of Enterprise, Davao Region (validated on May 27, 2020) 42

Table 2.5 Tourist Arrivals, Davao Region, Q1 2019 vs Q1 2020 45

Table 2.6 Number of Affected Establishments, Number of Affected Workers

and Estimated Income Losses, By Industry 46

Figure 2.1 Value of Tourist Receipts, Davao Region, 1st quarter 2019 vs.

1st quarter of 2020 44

Chapter 3 Defining the New Normal

Table 3.1 Risk Severity Grading and Risk-Based Public Health Standard 48

Table 3.2 Modification Potential Matrix Per Setting 49

Table 3.3 Prescribed interventions in various settings 50

Table 3.4 Macroeconomic Indicators, Davao Region, 1ST Qtr 2020 vis-à-vis

1st Qtr 2019 68

Table 3.5 Davao Region Major Commodities supply chain matrix1 75

Table 3.6 Air Quality in Davao City Monitoring Areas 95

Table 3.7 Volume of Hazardous/Infectious Waste 96

Table 3.8 Percentage Change in Water Demand, January – April 2020 and

February – April 2019, by Customer Classification 98

Table 3.9 Davao City Water District’s New Normal Initiatives in Addressing

Water Demand 99

Figure 3.1 Re-estimated Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP),

1 PIDS Discussion Paper Series No. 2014-35, Compilation and Synthesis of Major Agricultural Value Chain Analysis in the Philippines, Roehlano M.

Briones, 2013


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Davao Region, CY 2020, at constant 2000 prices 69

Figure 3.2 Food Supply Chain and Actors, Davao Region 76

Figure 3.3 Monthly Water Demand in Cubic Meters for January – April 2020,

by Water District 97

Chapter 4 Priority Programs, Activities and Projects (PPAs)

Table 4.1 Breakdown of PAPs by Year, 2020-2022, in Thousands 130

Table 4.2 Breakdown of PAPs by Province, 2020-2022, in Thousands 130

Table 4.3 Breakdown of Pas by Agency, 2020-2022, in Thousands 131

Figure 4.1 Subsectoral Breakdown of PAPs, in Percentage, 2020-2022 129


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Executive Summary The Davao Region Recovery Program (RRP) to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and Adapt

to the “New Normal” provides direction to the national government agencies, the local

government units, private sector and all other stakeholders for decisions and actions on the

Region’s transition toward the new normal to revive the economy and build its resilience for

similar global pandemics in the future.

As guide in the decision-making process and development of more specific sectoral policies

for COVID-19 responses, it aims to: 1) promote confidence in health systems; 2) rebuild

consumer and business confidence; 3) formulate policies and programs to adapt to a new

normal state of economic activities; 4) reduce uncertainties through provision of right and

timely information to the public; and 5) estimate the cost of future preparedness including

determining the role of public health insurance.

Conveying the right information to the public to gain public trust and

confidence. Foremost in the RRP is for the government to build people’s confidence by providing them access to timely, accurate and relevant information. This will be achieved by

providing the framework, protocols, guidelines and strategies for effectively communicating

information to the public along the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and future

crises.

To convey accurate and timely information to the public, Davao Region shall develop an

official portal or dashboard for COVID-19 related matters. All information will be harmonized

in one platform to ease the public’s access.

Mitigating Losses. To obtain a good grasp of the overall situation in the Region, the impact of the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was assessed as the

preventive actions had immediate and significant impact on the region’s social and economic

sectors.

Defining the New Normal. Davao Region adheres to the World Health Organization’s (WHO)- recommended criteria on easing restrictions, the new normal is defined as: a)

transmission of the disease is controlled, b) health system capacities are in place to detect, test,

isolate, and treat every case and trace every contact, c) outbreak risks are minimized in special

settings like health facilities and nursing homes d) preventive measures are in place in

workplaces, schools, and other places where it is essential for people to go, e) importation risks

can be managed and f) communities are fully educated, engaged, and empowered to adjust to

the “new norm.”

Characterizing the New Normal. The threat of COVID-19 remains even after ECQ is lifted. The public, therefore, shall embrace new norms in doing things in order to limit the

spread of the virus. The Region’s Political, Economic, Social, Technology, Legal and

Environment aspects have been characterized as it navigates toward the new normal through

appropriate policies and interventions.


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Strategies. The Region shall adapt a phased and adaptive approach in its recovery program based on the national government’s strategy as well as employ a whole-of-society approach to

adapt to the new normal while ensuring that its interventions are government-led, LGU-

enabled and people-centered

Major Programs and Projects. The programs and projects in the RRP are the interventions for the social, economic, infrastructure and governance sectors to address the

impact of COVID-19 and to propel the region toward the new normal of doing things. The

Region requires PhP51.62 Billion to implement its programs, activities and projects from 2020

to 2022.


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Background COVID-19 Transmission

The World Health Organization (WHO) received a report on pneumonia cases of unknown

cause detected in Wuhan, China, through its Country Office, on December 31, 2019. A Public

Health Emergency of International Concern was then declared by the WHO on January 30,

2020 in view of an outbreak of the corona virus infection where a total of 7,818 confirmed

cases worldwide was reported. Majority of these were in China, while 82 cases were reported

in 18 countries outside China. With the increasing number of confirmed cases worldwide,

tallying over 118,000 confirmed cases in over 110 countries and territories around the world,

and the sustained risk of further global spread, the WHO declared on March 11, 2020, the

COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

Thus, countries in the world were enjoined to take “urgent and aggressive action” given the

enormous capacity of the disease to spread the infection and induce a crippling effect to the

socio-economic life of people and societies. As of June 25, 2020, globally, there were

9,296,202 confirmed cases with almost half a million (479,133) deaths. By territory, Western

Pacific, where the Philippines belong, has the least confirmed cases at 209,215.

The Philippines recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on January 30, 2020. Three

months later, the country recorded a total of 9,223 confirmed cases, 607 deaths and 1,214

recoveries. As of June 25, 2020, the Philippines reported 33,069 confirmed cases with 778 new

cases reported for June 25 alone. The number of recoveries was 27% of the total 8,910 cases

while deaths was recorded at 1,212.

Davao Region recorded its first COVID-19 confirmed case on March 15, 2020 and was

observed to be on an uptrend reaching 488 cases on June 25, 2020 with 13 new cases. Majority

of the total confirmed cases were those belonging to ages 20-49, while the least affected were

those under 19 years old.

As of June 25, 2020, 25,667 probable cases in Davao Region have completed the 14-day home

quarantine. Deaths were relatively low and maintained at 31 or only 6% of total confirmed

cases from May 12 to June 25, with no new death recorded on June 25. The number of

recovered patients continued to rise to reach 311 or 64% of the total number of confirmed

cases. The spikes were attributed to the enhanced effort of the Region in contact tracing and

testing, including active case finding and swabbing in different identified hot spot areas.

Highest number of asymptomatic cases was recorded on May 29, 2020, less than two weeks

after the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was lifted and prior to transitioning to

General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

At the initial stage, on May 3, DOH XI reported that 25 of the confirmed cases had exposure

to a cockfight derby held at a popular cockpit in Davao City, while the rest were either exposed

to confirmed COVID-19 patients or had travel history to Metro Manila and other places. Given

the number of confirmed cases who had exposure to the cockfight derby that was held on

March 7, 10 and 12, the same cockpit became the ground zero for the disease not only in Davao



Region, but in Mindanao as well.

As of June 15, 2020, Davao City continued to record the highest number of confirmed COVID

cases in Davao Region at 362, followed by Davao del Norte at 27, Davao Oriental at 20 and

Davao del Sur at 17. Only Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental recorded single-digit cases at

6 and 4, respectively.

National Government Pronouncements

Due to the WHO declaration on COVID 19 as a global pandemic and an evidence from the

Department Health (DOH) of COVID local transmission, President Rodrigo Duterte issued

Proclamation No. 922, on March 8, 2020, declaring a “State of Public Health Emergency

Throughout the Philippines”. It was declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 constitutes an

emergency that threatens national security and required a whole-of-government response. All

government agencies and local government units (LGUs) were enjoined to render full

assistance and cooperation and mobilize necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and

appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19

threat.

On March 16, 2020, through Proclamation 929, a State of Calamity was declared by the

President due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019, and upon recommendation by the Inter-

Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) after it raised the Code Alert

System for COVID-19 to Code Red Sublevel 2, following the continued rise of COVID-19

cases in the country. Proclamation 929 also imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine

throughout the island of Luzon beginning March 17, 2020 up to April 13, 2020, and also

directed all law enforcement agencies, with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines,

to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas.

The National Government, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, then issued on March

16, 2020 guidelines on the implementation of an Enhanced Community Quarantine over the

entire Luzon and further guidelines on the management of the Coronavirus Disease 2019,

including the suspension of classes, prohibition of mass gathering, strict social distancing

measures, impositions of home quarantine, restriction of movement and non-essential travel,

and temporary closure of non-essential work and businesses, among others. Similar

pronouncements from the National Inter Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging

Infectious Disease (IATF) were also issued, providing guidelines and recommendations on

how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 should be managed throughout the country.

Given the enormous task of managing, containing, and preventing the further spread of

COVID-19 in the Philippines, R.A. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” was passed

into law on March 25, 2020, granting limited emergency powers to the President for a period

of three months to oversee the COVID-19 crises. The law granted President Duterte 30 special

powers to address the crisis, including The authority to give 18 million low-income families

PhP5,000 to PhP8,000 a month in emergency cash aid depending on the prevailing minimum

wage in the regions for two months, directed PhilHealth to shoulder all medical costs of

workers exposed to the coronavirus for the duration of the emergency, enforced protective



measures against hoarding and profiteering of commodities such as food, fuel, medicine, and

medical supplies, secured goods such as protective laboratory and medical equipment, medical

supplies, tools, testing kits, facilities and venues, and others in an efficient manner, ensured

the availability of essential goods through measures that reduced interference to the supply

chain, as well as authorized the allocation of funds to address the COVID-19 emergency.

IATF issued Resolution No. 29, series of 2020, which extended the Enhanced Community

Quarantine over several high-risk areas up to May 15, 2020. These areas included the National

Capital Region, Region III, Region IV-A, the provinces of Pangasinan, Benguet, Iloilo, Cebu,

and the cities of Davao, Cebu and Baguio. The same Resolution also put all other low-risk and

moderate-risk areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao under General Community Quarantine.

Another issuance was IATF Resolution No. 30, series of 2020 providing the omnibus

guidelines for the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines beyond May 16,

2020, which applies to all regions, provinces, cities, or areas placed under General or Enhanced

Community Quarantine. Moreover, beginning May 16, 2020, all decisions to impose, lift, or

extend a community quarantine in provinces, highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent

component cities (ICCs) rested with the IATF.

The latest issuance is embodied in IATF Resolution No. 46-A on June 15, 2020, which placed

Davao City, among other highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) under General Community

Quarantine or GCQ, this was actually an extended GCQ, and the five provinces under MGCQ,

or an extended MGCQ from June 16-30, 2020 (Annex A lists the IATF-MEID Resolutions).

Regional Task Force 11-COVID 19 Pronouncements

Davao Region became the first Region in the country to adopt a unified structure applying the

Incident Command System (ICS) for its regionwide response to the COVID-19 outbreak. After

President Rodrigo Duterte declared a State of Calamity due to the Corona Virus Disease 2019

on March 16, 2020 and imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine over the entire Luzon

thereafter, Davao Region immediately took urgent action to establish its integrated response

mechanism in managing the crisis.

By virtue of Joint RPOC XI – RDC XI Resolution No. 9, dated March 17, 2020, the Davao

Region Task Force on Coronavirus Desease-19 (RTF11-COVID19) was created and the Davao

City Mayor was designated as overall Regional Incident Command System (ICS) Commander

and Chairperson of the RTF11-COVID19. On the same day of its creation, the RTF11-COVID

19 declared a regionwide lock down in order to mitigate and contain the threat of infection by

suspending land, sea, and domestic air transportation coming to Davao Region and closure of

all ports of entry into the Region effective 00:01H of March 19, 2020. RTF11 also supported

Davao City’s Executive Orders No. 12 and 13, series of 2020 on the suspension of all

international and domestic travel to and from Davao City throughout the duration of the City’s

Community Quarantine, through RTF11-COVID19 Resolution No. 10, s.2020.

Guidelines for all component-LGUs and security personnel manning the checkpoints during

the Region-wide land lockdown were firmed up through RTF Orders issued by the RTF



Chairperson. Appropriate RTF Orders were also issued to define the quarantine protocols for

persons who were stranded at Davao Region’s boundary checkpoints, prohibition and

exemptions on the movement of persons within the Region, guidelines on cargo transport

during the State of Public Health Emergency, the imposition of curfew hours, as well as the

implementation of liquor ban and the prohibition of the manufacture, transport, and trading of

methanol-based products within the Region.

To align its efforts with the National Task Force-COVID19, the RTF11-COVID19 also issued

RTF11-COVID19 Resolution No. 9 on March 29, 2020, “Creating the Task Groups on

Response, Resource Management and Logistics, and Strategic Communication Under the

RTF11-COVID 19”. The Task Group Response Operations were tasked to identify, screen and

assist suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, provide necessary treatment, implement

preventive measures, implement community quarantine regulations, maintain peace and order,

provide emergency relief to affected population and undertake proper disposal of cadavers.

The Task Group Resource Management and Logistics were tasked to ensure the availability of

resources, supplies, and facilities for response operations, identify quarantine and treatment

facilities and locations, and formulate economic plans, programs, and projects to cope with the

impacts. The Task Group Strategic Communications were tasked to disseminate appropriate,

accurate and timely messages utilizing all available platforms, manage “infodemics”,

implement measures to cultivate the adoption of desired public behaviour, and address local

“fake news” and other falsified information.

In view of the increasing trend of COVID-19 confirmed cases, the entire Region was placed

under General Community Quarantine effective 5:00AM on March 26, 2020 per RTF11-

COVID19 Order No. 2020-007, and was elevated to a regionwide Enhanced Community

Quarantine (ECQ) beginning at 9:00PM on April 4, 2020 per RTF11-COVID19 Order No.

2020-008. By this time, cases of local transmission have already been observed and measures

for its containment were already scaled up through contact tracing and testing.

Pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-062, a supplemental RTF Order (RTF11-

COVID19 Order No. 2020-008-A) was also issued on April 5, 2020, suspending private and

public transportation for inter-LGU travels within the Region, prescribing transportation

arrangements for front-liners, essential workers, and vulnerable groups during the ECQ, as

well as, the imposition of a total liquor ban, and longer curfew hours regionwide, from 6PM

to 6AM.

Recognizing that the foregoing measures have slowed down the spread of COVID-19 in Davao

Region and that lifting of quarantine restrictions “too early” could lead to new waves of

outbreaks, the RTF issued RTF11-COVID19 Order No. 2020-009 on April 17, 2020, extending

the regionwide ECQ until 11:59PM, 26 April 2020. The same Order directed the Local Chief

Executives to adopt the recommendations of the Department of Health for the implementation

of Community Quarantine in their respective LGUs, once the lifting of ECQ is granted by the

proper health authorities.

Meanwhile, all LGUs were enjoined to vigorously adopt and implement the Detect, Isolate,

Treat and Reintegrate Strategy prescribed by the National Task Force COVID-19. The RTF



adopted measures such as intensified contact tracing of suspected and probable COVID-19

cases, early case detection by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, acquisition

and distribution of personal protective equipment to healthcare workers, provision of adequate

facilities and deployment of additional human resources to handle isolating and managing of

COVID-19 cases, and continued monitoring to prevent a surge of the disease. For this purpose,

all provinces, cities, and municipalities in the Region were advised to fully utilize their

Bayanihan Grants during the quarantine period.

RTF11-COVID Resolution No. 17 was issued on April 30, 2020, adopted the national IATF’s

recommendations for the imposition of ECQ or GCQ for specific high-risk areas in the country

until 15 May 2020, including Davao City, in accordance with the IATF-prescribed parameters

and procedure. The LGUs of Davao Region were enjoined to abide by these recommendations,

moving forward. Thereafter, the RTF11 COVID-19 abides by the subsequent guidelines of

the national AITF for the implementation of the quarantine measures in the whole country and

areas-specific based on risk classification.

Since its creation, the RTF11-COVID 19 has passed 19 Resolutions and 15 Orders on relevant

concerns to effectively combat the COVID 19 pandemic (Annex A lists the RTF 11-COVID

19 Resolutions and Orders).

Local Government Pronouncements

In compliance with IATF and RTF11 COVID 19 Resolutions, the local government units of

Davao Region issued their respective Executive Orders that recommend strategic government

responses at the local level to address the threat of COVID-19 (Annex A lists the various

Executive Orders issued by the LGUs of Davao City and the five provinces of Davao Region).

The City Government of Davao and the Provincial Governments of Davao de Oro and Davao

del Norte announced that they shall continue to implement the ECQ until May 15, with a re-

evaluation on May 16. Consequently, the City Government of Davao issued Executive Order

No. 28 declaring the extension of the ECQ until May 15, 2020. The Provinces of Davao

Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Occidental issued EO Nos. 17, 27, 34

and 29, respectively, to shift to GCQ, from May 1 to 15, 2020.

However, on April 30, 2020, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Executive Order No. 112,

providing for the Omnibus Guidelines for the Implementation of Community Quarantine in

the Philippines, which apply to all regions, provinces, cities or areas placed under General or

Enhanced Quarantine. Under this EO, the City of Davao was included among the areas placed

under ECQ for the period May 1, 12:01 AM to May 15, 11:59 PM. This in effect removed

Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte from among the high-risk areas.

The RTF11-COVID 19 Resolution No. 17 adopted EO 112 and its categorization of Davao

Region LGUs of Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro and Davao

Occidental. It, however, concurred with Davao de Oro and Tagum City to be placed under

extended ECQ until May 15. Davao del Norte per its EO NO. 37, s.2020 saw the need to

continue the implementation of ECQ over Tagum City, while the rest of the Province was



placed under GCQ from May 1, 2020 up to May 15, 2020. On the other hand, Davao de Oro

per EO no. 31, s, 2020 extended their implementation of ECQ from May 1, 2020 up to May

15, 2020 (Annex A lists the Executive Orders issued by Davao City and all Provinces in Davao

Region).

NTF-TWG on Anticipatory and Forward Planning

To commence forward planning and as part of its transitory process, the NEDA published a

Report on March 19, 2020, “Addressing the Social and Economic Impact of the COVID-19

Pandemic”. In that Report, NEDA outlined a three-phased program of interventions on public

health response and rebuilding consumer and business confidence that may be implemented

by both the Government and private sectors.

To provide context on all the issues faced by the country affecting all sectors of society, as

well as the recommendations on hand, there was a need to provide one direction to all efforts

of Government in partnership with the private sector on how it would be able to cope once the

community quarantine shall have been lifted. This need gave rise to the creation of the

Technical Working Group on Anticipatory and Forward Planning (TWG-AFP) on March 27,

2020 through Resolution No. 16 of the IATF-EID. The TWG-AFP, chaired by NEDA. It was

tasked to assess the impact of COVID-19 and Enhanced Community Quarantine, and draft

appropriate policy recommendations that will help stimulate the economy, and adapt to the

“new normal” of economic activity.

On April 27, 2020, the TWG-AFP submitted to IATF-EID its final report, “Addressing the

Social and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic”, outlining three phases of

Government’s response against COVID-19, namely: response, mitigation and transition to the

new normal. The transition to new normal requires a risk assessment plan that would also study

the possible resumption of high value sectors with low risk of spreading the virus. The impact

and risk assessment and set of policy recommendations were to be integrated in a Recovery

Program that will be replicated in all regions. The formulation of Regional Recovery Programs

(RRPs) by all Regions commenced taking guidance from the Final Report of the TWG-AFP.

The vital roles of the LGUs and the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) were highlighted

in the RRPs, particularly in the implementation of priority PPAs as the country transitions to

the “new normal” in reviving the economy and building the resilience of communities to

similar pandemic in the future.

With said developments, and additional national guidance, including the completion of the

draft Philippine Economic Recovery Program by NEDA on May 14, dubbed as “PH-

PROGRESO- Philippine Program for Recovery with Equity and Solidarity-Turning Crisis into

an Opportunity, the first version of the Davao Region RRP was enhanced.

The enhanced Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program aligns with the national

recovery program, as well as firms up the assessment portion to highlight the emergency,

recovery and resilience stages of the phased approach, thus making it more doable and

responsive to the requirements of the new normal. Further, the DRRRP was improved adopting

available methodology/ies for formulating recovery and resilience programs.



Objectives of the Recovery and Resiliency Program

In general, the Davao Region RRP has been formulated to bounce back from the effects of

COVID-19 and to facilitate the Region’s adaptation to the “new normal”. It shall serve as a

basis in the decision-making process and development of more specific sectoral policies for

COVID-19 response.

1) Promote confidence in health systems

The COVID-19 experience has made it obvious that the Region, even the country and the world

in general were not ready for a crisis as huge as the spread of this disease. While patient care

has been relatively well-managed by the Region’s public and private health institutions and

health professionals, lessons can be drawn from the experience so that the Region can assure

its people that their health and wellbeing can be taken care of in normal and not-so-normal

situations. The RRP shall ensure that lessons learned from the crisis will take root in the

advances the Region needs to undertake in improving systems and practices in health

institutions, strengthening health services and facilities, capacitating health professionals,

augmenting medical resources, and engaging a whole-of-society approach in addressing health

crises situations. This is to heighten the claim-holders’ sense of security and their satisfaction

with health care and government services as they have access to an adequate health system.

2) Rebuild consumer and business confidence The COVID-19 and the ECQ has brought about unprecedented uncertainties. The immediate

objective is to bring the pandemic under control and mitigate the economic damage to

consumers and businesses. While the estimates of expected recovery are equally uncertain,

the Region shall strive to lay the foundations for a strong and sustained recovery by keeping

markets open and predictable and fostering a more favorable business environment to spur

investments under a “new normal” scenario.

3) Formulate policies and programs to adapt to a “new normal” state of economic activities.

As the region works its way through the COVID-19 crisis, different scenarios for recovery and

“new normal” policies shall be adopted to redefine the economy. These include policies for

emerging businesses/industries and job-creating opportunities that will accelerate the transition

to a new and sustainable and more inclusive economy.

Program and policy responses of government shall be crafted accordingly such that they

support the Region’s shift to the “new normal”, both in the short- and long-term. Social

protection measures (e.g. health protection, unemployment benefits, social assistance, etc.) and

economic support for both the demand and supply sides shall be the immediate priority.

The programs, activities and projects (PAPs) contained in this Program are based on the

Department of Budget and Management’s issuance of National Budget Circular No. 580 dated

April 22, 2020, on the Adoption of Economy Measures in the Government due to the



Emergency Health Situation. The Circular provides for the discontinuance of appropriated

PAPs, whether released or unreleased, as well as unobligated allotments to fund the operations

and response measures related to the COVID-19 emergency situation. As such, the RDC XI

has proactively requested all concerned agencies to reprioritize and realign their CY 2020

budgets to identify PAPs that need to be implemented immediately to respond to the

emergency health situation; revisit and resubmit their RDC XI-endorsed FY 2021 budget

proposals to identify PAPs that will be implemented in 2021 to continually fund mitigating

measures for the COVID-19 pandemic; and identify PAPs in FY 2022 (to the extent possible)

for the continuing efforts related to COVID-19.

Over the long-term, program and policy interventions shall be geared towards harnessing the

Region’s long-term growth potential and building its resilience to future shocks, with

interventions to build capacity for coping with and recovering from external shocks, not only

from COVID-19, but also from other forms of natural disasters and future climate change

impacts.

4) Reduce uncertainties through provision of right and timely information to the

public Communication is key to the building of peoples’ confidence in public institutions and

engaging them to cooperate in government efforts in times of a crisis like COVID-19. The

RRP shall ensure that government is transparent in handling and managing the situation, that

right information are made accessible to the public on a regular basis, and that systems are in

place to respond to information needs and gaps in a timely manner and consistently, even as

the Region transitions into and adapts to the new normal.

5) Estimate the cost of future preparedness including determining the role of public health insurance

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a painful background to addressing a crisis with

enormous proportions, not just affecting pockets of communities but everyone, in all aspects

and without exemption. The RRP shall take reference from this experience to ensure that the

Region is well prepared to address similar and even greater crises that may be forthcoming,

reduce the risks that will be brought about by these crises, strengthen the resilience of the most

vulnerable against impacts, hence, proactively address the related future requirements. The

RRP shall highlight the role of public health insurance as it impacts on the government coffers

and its medical readiness and sustainability, as well as in securing the financial capacities and

safety of Davaoeños. Among the expected roles of public health insurance include providing

support and assistance to MSMEs and OFWs through deferment of premium payments, as

necessary, and in providing full medical coverage for people getting sick from new and

emerging diseases and in sustaining the universal healthcare coverage for all.

Davao Region shall determine the extent of losses due to the pandemic and the cost of future

preparedness which can be gleaned from the accompanying list of programs, activities and

projects (PAPs) proposed to be implemented by concerned agencies from 2020 to 2022.



Likewise, the role of the self-sustaining public health insurance shall be determined in terms

of covering an individual’s health care.

The Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from Covid-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal: A Phased and Adaptive Approach

The Davao Region Economic Recovery and Resiliency Program is based on the National

Government’s four-pillar strategy in responding to the COVID-19 crisis, as follows:

The Program’s framework is phased and delineated among three stages: Stage 1 or the

Emergency Stage; Stage 2 or the Recovery Stage; and Stage 3 or the Resiliency Stage. Because

the crisis it addresses concerns health, the analogies for these stages mirror a patient’s stages

of a stay in the hospital, so that for Stage 1, the analogy is Intubation in the ICU; for Stage 2,

it is Dextrose in a regular room; and for Stage 3, the analogy is Vitamins at home. These

analogies are adopted from the national economic recovery plan, the PH-PROGRESO.

The stages relate to definite periods in the ongoing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stage 1 covers the period from March to May 2020; Stage 2 covers the period June to

December 2020; and Stage 3 covers the period 2021 and onwards.

Each of these stages is also defined by the area quarantine classification that was implemented

during the period, so that for Stage 1, the Region was generally under Enhanced Community

Quarantine; during Stage 2 it was upgraded to General Community Quarantine; and in Stage

3, the target is to be able to transcend the quarantines and thus bring the Region to the New

Normal.

For the stages the applicable Pillar strategy is applied. For the Emergency Stage, the strategies

under Pillars 1 and 2 were generally resorted to, while for the Recovery and Resilience Stages,

strategies under Pillars 3 and 4 will be pursued.



The rest of the framework spells out the main strategies proposed under the three phased stages,

viz: Emergency Stage Recovery Stage Resiliency Stage

Period March to May 2020 June to December 2020 2021 onwards

Analogy Intubation in ICU Dextrose in regular room Vitamins at home

Area Quarantine

Classification

ECQ GCQ Post-GCQ – New Normal

Pillar Pillar I and II Pillar III and IV Pillar III and IV

Key Features Messaging focused on health advisories, access to treatment, case monitoring with LGUs

Messaging focused on reducing losses & improving socioeconomic conditions

Messaging focused on the new normal across sectors and on turning the crisis into opportunities

Immediate provision of social protection packages

Improvement of social protection programs & income support systems

Fast track the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys)

Establishment of unified regional guidelines on quarantine measures & health protocol

Improvement of health systems & health care facilities

Institution of a fully integrated health systems database

Aggressive testing & contact tracing

Improvement of the status & supply of human resources for health (HRH)

Full PhilHealth coverage of emerging or re-emerging diseases

Ensure unhampered movement of A & F goods & services

Adoption of blended learning by shifting to digital & alternative learning modes

Institutionalization of flexible learning options such as open high school, alternative delivery modes & satellites for off-grid areas

Banks encouraged to provide financial relief to companies & suspend imposition of interest fees & charges on loans

Realignment of expenditure priorities for FY 2020

Reprioritization of the budget for FY 2021 and onwards

Establishment of quarantine control & intensified containment measures, & secure critical lifeline & facilities

Provision of access to business financing & financial services

Promotion of co-financing between the National Government and LGUs

Strengthening of online marketing of agricultural produce through establishment of online/digital channels for transactions & delivery services

Investment Priorities Plan to include activities critical for the supply of essential goods

Hastening the growth of e-commerce by focusing on speed, security & structure to increase sales

Building MSME’s capacity for business continuity planning



Chapter 1

Conveying the right information to the public to gain public trust and confidence A whole-of-society cooperation is of utmost importance in handling the COVID-19 pandemic,

containing the spread of the disease, and mitigating its impact. Such cooperation is only

possible if people have full understanding and appreciation of the problem in its entirety, and

confidence in public institutions.

As Davao Region strives to end the crisis and hasten recovery, it shall build peoples’

confidence by providing access to vital information. At the same time, it shall listen and be

receptive to people’s feedback to ascertain the needs and gaps, and have a better, more holistic

understanding and handling of the crisis. This includes the need to address questions, persistent

worries, and rumors.

The RTF11 COVID-19 Task Group on Strategic Communications, chaired by the Philippine

Information Agency, was created to coordinate the dissemination of appropriate, accurate, and

timely messages utilizing all available platforms, and to implement measures to cultivate the

adoption of desired public behaviour.

This section provides the framework, protocols, guidelines and strategies for effectively

communicating information to the public along the different stages of the COVID-19

pandemic.

1.1. Framework: Building confidence through access to right information



Communication is integral to every public health intervention. It provides the basis and

precedes actions taken by people who are affected or at risk and the actions of the institutions

who respond to the outbreak. Regular and proactive communication with the community helps

alleviate confusion and avoid misunderstanding.

Access to the right information builds confidence and fosters cooperation among the

stakeholders, viz., the government, affected population, health care providers, media, NGO

partners, and the general public - towards ending the crisis and rebuilding the economy. The people must be apprised pertinent to health, social, economic, public safety/security, and

governance information. It is crucial that the government’s information, communication, and

education efforts are in sync with the economic recovery program: i.e., PH-PROGRESO’s

phased and adaptive recovery approach on Emergency Stage, Recovery Stage and Resiliency

Stage.

1.2. Social Media Analytics

Determining Information Needs

While most of the information sought by the public may already be available, these are largely

fragmented. Based on the results of crowd sourcing and media analysis at the national level,

which are applicable to Davao Region, the most important information that must be provided

immediately are on the emergency measures, namely: general COVID-19 situation, spread,

treatment and available health facilities; on-going social protection and support measures, case

monitoring with LGUs, subsidies for the poor, support for key sectors, among others.

The next series of needed information are on the recovery measures to reduce losses and

manage the transition of the rest of the economy, along with provisions on transparency and

governance (e.g., reports on fund disbursement and parameters on lifting ECQ, among others).

Figure 1.1 Framework for COVID-19 Information



Finally, information for the resiliency stage are on how the government plans to build back

better and transition to the new normal must be provided. Information on what the “new

normal” across each sector needs shall be shared so that appropriate measures can be provided

to turn crisis into opportunities.

Protocols for Information Management and Reporting As earlier mentioned, well-conceived and effectively delivered messages are crucial to help

facilitate emergency efforts, cooperation and public confidence. Apart from this, the

government’s implementation of transparency measures calls for establishing protocols for

information management and reporting. These shall address the current gaps and challenges,

such as fragmented information sourced on COVID-19 and existing data protocols and

safeguards adopted by agencies. Another consideration is ensuring consistency in information

and language from all partners and avoiding misinformation/rumours.

Among the communication issues that Davao Region had to contend with at the height of the

COVID-19 pandemic are the following:

a) Need to build people’s trust in the government’s provision of services at the time of the

COVID19 pandemic;

b) Massive proliferation of misinformation easily spread through social media that hampers

the government from influencing people’s behaviour;

c) Being a new disease, COVID-19 caused confusion, anxiety and fear among the population, which has given rise to stigma and discrimination towards patients and

frontliners that can undermine social cohesion.

To gain the trust of Davaoeños, influence their behavior on beating COVID-19 and recover

together as one, the following strategies shall be adopted, as recommended by the AFP-TWG

and by the RTF11-TG on Strategic Communications:

Fig. 1.2 Communication Phases to Build Confidence and Adapt to the New Normal



Strategies Lead Entities Timelines

Establish and/or activate talking heads to be the official spokesperson and be relied on as source of official information

PIA XI, concerned agencies

During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ (Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)

Establish official communication platforms at the regional, provincial and municipal level; and utilize all government information networks

PIA XI, PLGUs/ CLGU/MLGU Information Office, C4DNet


Develop a dashboard/portal to provide at-a-glance views of key information on the COVID-19 crisis

DICT XI, NEDA XI, PIA XI, LGUs, concerned agencies


Create an inter-agency body that will manage the dashboard/portal and ensure efficient linkages to the respective agencies’ websites

DICT XI, NEDA XI, PIA XI, LGUs, concerned agencies


Formulate data sharing agreements across government entities that will provide data for the portal

Concerned government agencies/GOCCs

During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ

(Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)

Ensure regular, effective dissemination and unified messaging of IEC materials from the directives set by the national and local government

PIA XI, RTF XI StratCom


Create a standard template for all communication

PIA XI During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ (Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)

Set timelines for addressing data gaps

RTF XI StratCom As needed

Ensure the availability of data from the LGUs

LGUs, C4DNet During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ (Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)

Provide broadband internet connectivity through fiber optic network to vital facilities and public places and ensure the functionality of communication lines at all times.

DICT XI During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ (Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)

Establish a referral system to concerned agencies to address publicly aired grievances, issues, and concerns on COVID 19 and government’s response

RTF XI StratCom During ECQ up to the full lifting of the ECQ (Emergency. Recovery and Resiliency stages)



Sample Dashboard and Available Data

To help the government and other stakeholders make informed decisions, a Davao Region

COVID-19 dashboard shall be developed to display updated COVID-19 related information

from multiple data sources. As the dashboard may not be able to provide a complete picture for all government assistance, line agencies shall explore the creation of a COVID-19 portal

in their official websites or social media pages. The dashboard shall contain links to these

agencies and direct people to websites or platforms where support programs are spelled out.

The agencies’ websites may also provide a link, which directs the public to the dashboard for

COVID-19.

Recommended Indicators

Based on the social media analysis and mapping of available data, the following indicators

shall be in the dashboard or portal corresponding to the three phases of Response, Mitigation,

and Transition to the new normal. As there will be too much data to host and maintain in one

portal, the information needs shall be categorized into what will be directly available in the

portal and those that will have links to partner agencies’ COVID-19 corners or portals.

Emergency Phase

The priority information needs of the public during this phase shall comprise of the following:

Platform Health Social Economic Security Governance

In the portal

• Total number of cases (disaggregated by sex, age, region, or province)

• Total number of deaths, recoveries, suspected and probable cases

• Total number of case conducted (disaggregated by suspected and probable cases tested and confirmatory tests)

• Basic FAQs and Dos and Don’ts to prevent spread of disease (infographics, videos)

• Description of eligibility and process of receiving assistance from government interventions during ECQ, i.e., SAP, TUPAD, CAMP, PhilHealth packages (updated guidelines on availment and coverage)

• Opportunities to donate and/or volunteer

• Support services, programs, initiatives to aid SMEs and industries under difficult situations (classified per sector), especially for micro and small enterprises

• Practical information for producers and consumers (e.g., DA’s Kadiwa Centers, trading posts)

• Business and services allowed to operate (during and

• Safety precautions and protocols during ECQ

• FAQs on the ECQ

• Government hotlines (health, report grievances, etc.

• Social media hub




• Hotline for Ambulatory services

• Personal stories of recovered patients on their journey to recovery

after lockdown

Partner agency websites or social media pages (with links from the main portal)

• List of referral hospitals for COVID-19 (DOH) and capacities of each hospital

• List of testing centers (DOH)

• Procedures on getting treatment care (DOH and LGUs)

• Where to get health resources, i.e., PPEs, ventilators; or available stock equipment (DOH)

• Online consultation for COVID and non-COVID health concerns (Lung Center, Philippine Mental Health, etc.)

• Other epidemiological or health information on confirmed patients, i.e., hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions (DOH)

• Forecast on disease or infection spread per area of LGU (FASSSTER/UPRI)

• Intervention or mapping of

• Status of disbursement of national and local government inventories, i.e., SAP (DSWD); TUPAD (DOLE); CAMP (DOLE); PhilHealth Packages (PhilHealth; LGU interventions (DILG)

• Available education programs per level; online or offline (DepEd, CHED, TESDA)

• Guidelines on the moratorium of payment on housing loans and utilities (HDMF, SHFC, NHA, and NHMFC, and utility companies)

• Support services for Human Resources for health and frontline workers, i.e., transportatio

• Protocols or guidelines that need to be implemented during ECQ (PNP/AFP)

• Recognizing and countering fake news, false, or misleading information and propaganda (DILG/PCOO)

• Issuances made during the ECQ (PCOO)

• Local ordinances/rules/regulations during ECQ (DILG/LGUs)




human resources for health (DOH)

n (DOTr, OVP); billeting for dorms (OVP, LGUs)

• List of beneficiaries for programs (agency in-charge)

Mitigation Phase Recovery Stage


In the Portal

• Information, update, or news article on the status of development of vaccine

• Transportation guidelines and availability post-ECQ

Partner agency websites or social media pages

School calendar adjustments for SY 2019-2020 and SY 2020-2021; promotion or moving up of students (DepEd)

• Guidelines on adopting flexible work arrangements (DOLE)

• Extension of deadlines on government transactions, i.e., payment of taxes, etc. (BIR, BSP)

• Macro and business indicators (NEDA/DOF/ BSP)

Transition to the ‘New Normal’ Phase

Resiliency Stage

In this phase, the data will include definitions or guidelines on the ‘new normal’ for all sectors;

strategies and structural reforms to turn crisis into opportunity; and tracking of assistance from

the national government and other development partners. The latter shall be an itemized

breakdown of total funds disbursed by the national government and development partners to

different agencies and LGUs vis-à-vis actual accomplishments (reports from line agencies and

LGUs) for transparency.



Packaging the data to provide clear and understandable information

With the identified information needs, the packaging, or how this information are presented

would be crucial to ensure that the public understands and retains the information made

available to them. The following recommendations shall be adopted:

Laymanize the explanation contained in frequently ask questions (FAQs)

Information provided in the platform must be clear, short, and easy to understand by all. These

explanations must also have translations in the main dialects (e.g., Tagalog, Bisaya, Muslim,

etc.) of the region. Messages need to be tailored to the disease and local sociocultural and

economic realities must be reflected.

Make the portal interface simple, clear, and uncrowded

While the DOH nCoV tracker provides a comprehensive and detailed snapshot of the available

data or information that the Department has, it may overwhelm the public and does not capture

the non-health information the people also need. The website should be simple and clean, and

can direct users to the information they need. For instance, the designated platform may

position the link for staysafe.ph2 where it can be easily seen by the user and provide a short

description of what it is. Use catchy phrases

Following the #weRecoverAsOne, the platform shall contain catchy phrases to entice users to

click and explore. Information shall be presented creatively whilst ensuring the accuracy of

information.

Employ strategic messaging

Strategic messaging and placement of materials are needed to better engage the public. For

instance, the messaging on wearing face masks can be: Face masks should be worn not just to

avoid being infected, but also to avoid infecting others as one could be a carrier of the virus

even without exhibiting symptoms. This kind of messaging brings about a sense of

responsibility towards their community. This can be presented as a short video aired in major

channels in the country (not limited to government channels) and can be made viral on social

media platforms.

Proposed Dashboard/Portal

The proposed Davao Region dashboard shall adopt the following format developed by the

TWG-AFP, but shall be customized for Davao Region. The objective is to bring the locus of

control over the situation to the individual and the community. While the government shall be

seen as taking action comprehensively and as one, it must also be conveyed that, with the right

information and resources, individuals can have significant control of the situation. The

dashboard shall serve as a platform to elicit support and cooperation from the rest of the

society.



Each box in the homepage leads to relevant COVID-19 pages in the websites of concerned

agencies or to other pages, to wit:

General Situationer and COVID-19 Situation Updates links to the DOH COVID-19 tracker

and other DOH bulletins, press releases, and directories



Health innovations links to the COVID-19 pages of the Department of Science and

Technology.

Social Services links to the COVID-19 pages of DSWD, DepEd, CHED, and TESDA



Trabaho at Negosyo sa Panahon ng COVID links to the COVID-19 pages of the DOLE, DTI,

DOTr, and DA.

Laging Handa: Government in Action links to COVID-19 pages providing official guidelines

on the implementation of the ECQ.



Quarantine Control Points links to the COVID-19 page of the Department of the Interior and

Local Government.



Chapter 2

Mitigating Losses

2.1. Assessment

The COVID-19 pandemic came as a big surprise to everyone, and to the government. Also,

the crisis appears to involve a societal class dimension: class-A, or the upper- and class-B, or

the middle-income classes, were the ones mostly infected because they were the ones who can

afford travels or were acquainted with ones who have travelled. The impact on the lower-

income classes, on the other hand, was mainly through local transmission wherein the virus

was transmitted through contact with persons afflicted with the disease within the community

or public places where people gathered closely together. As established by medical experts,

the virus can be transmitted through droplets from cough, sneezing, or talking with infected

persons.

In response to the confirmation of localized transmission and in anticipation of possible

community outbreak of the virus, DOH had raised the COVID-19 Alert System to Code Red

sublevel 1. This was a preemptive measure to ensure that national and local governments and

public and private health care providers can prepare for possible increase in suspected and

confirmed cases.

Davao Region responded quickly to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The creation of

Regional Task Force XI COVID-19 paved the way for a unified set of regional guidelines on

quarantine measures through the executive orders issued by Davao Region’s LGUs.

The RTF-COVID19 took action by declaring ECQ to limit the spread of the disease, i.e.,

through physical isolation policies, thus restricting the mobility of people, among which

included limiting work in offices, shutting down educational institutions and prohibiting mass

gatherings. The preventive measures implemented also resulted in the closure of non-essential

establishments and reduced operations and business hours of establishments allowed to

operate. All establishments were directed to close, except government offices, groceries,

supermarkets, wet markets, food commissaries, food manufacturing, food delivery services,

wholesale stores, convenience stores, sari-sari stores, hospitals, medical laboratories,

pharmacies, drugstores, banks and ATMs, service and credit cooperatives, money transfer

services and bayad centers, courier services, construction hardware, doctor’s clinics, gas

stations, water refilling stations, LPG stations and business process outsourcing. Malls had also

limited operations to groceries and pharmacies, closing all other businesses within their

premises. Restaurants were able to continue operations but only through delivery and take-out

transactions. Some restaurants also decided to suspend operations until the situation improves.

Said measures have resulted in financial losses not only for the owners of the businesses, but

also for some employees who had been laid off or have reduced wages. As of June 5, 2020 a

total of 48,701 businesses were affected by the ECQ.

With the region in lockdown, both the national and local governments were faced with

providing social protection for the most vulnerable members of the society as their survival

depended on social interventions. The government was ready with its social protection



packages, such as the provision of relief goods and financial aid through the Social

Amelioration Program (SAP). While these social protection packages were in place, there were

problems in their implementation. As of May 5, 2020, only 68% or 644,676 families received

the SAP due to slow or no payouts to targeted beneficiaries. There were problems such as

inconsistency in the LGU and DSWD listings of households and inadequate funding for the

SAP. It was only on May 29, 2020, where around 99% or 950,254 families received the SAP.

Additional financial aid and food packs also depended on the financial capacity of an LGU.

There were 993 LGUs (province/city/municipality/barangay) that have utilized their Quick

Respond Funds for assistance to indigent families and daily wage earners. Likewise, the

affected workers in private establishments that had adopted the flexible work arrangements

(FWAs) or temporary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic were offered financial support

through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and the Tulong

Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers or TUPAD. As of May 29,

2020, ECQ-affected workers needing support reached 205,380, reaching about PhP 413

Million loss of income.

The front-liners in the fight against COVID-19 were faced with problems of lack of personal

protective equipment (PPE), putting their lives at risk. There was shortage of health equipment

and supplies such as gloves, medical masks, respirators, goggles, face shields, gowns, and

aprons for frontline health workers and for the law enforcers manning the quarantine control

points. The need to have steady supply of protective equipment for the health workers and

the law enforcers cannot be overemphasized as long as there is still no vaccine for the disease.

To date, aside from the private sector, there were 54 LGUs that provided the much needed

PPEs to the frontliners.

As of June 4, 2020, of the 360 COVID-19 cases in the region, a total 173 or 48% had recovered

and 30 or 8.3% had died. To facilitate the quarantine for person under monitoring, suspected

and probable and confirmed cases, there were 98 identified Ligtas Covid-19 facilities with 450

bed capacities. To contain the spread of the virus, 50 contact tracing teams were organized in

the cities and municipalities.

The region has established 327 quarantine control points to maintain law and order, ensure

enforcement of the Quarantine Act (RA 9271) and intensify containment measures, and secure

critical lifeline and facilities.

Relatedly, crime incidence in Davao Region plunged by 38 percent after implementing

community quarantine for three months, from 3,685 crime incidents, from January 23 to March

13 (before the community quarantine) to 2,281 crimes starting from March 14 to May 14.

These crimes included crime against persons to 133 from 306 before quarantine; crime against

property from 194 to 71; non-index crime, from 1,481 to 524; traffic incidents from 775 to

219; and special laws from 929 to 1,334.

The lockdown had also resulted in greater domestic usage of energy, water and

telecommunication. Since residents had been confined to their households, commercial use of

energy had fallen while domestic energy consumption had risen. Work-from-home

arrangements had also increased the use of telecommunication at households. The demand for



water also increased following the increase in sanitation and disinfection activities, such as

hand-washing.

The crisis had also affected transportation. Following the implementation of the enhanced

community quarantine, all public transportation had been suspended. This led to the loss of

livelihood among drivers and operators. Prior to the suspension, drivers were earning less due

to the observation of social distancing within vehicles. The Davao International Airport, had

ceased operating. The resumption of operations was subject to the assessment of the pandemic

situation.

On the brighter side, the social positive effects of the pandemic were phenomenal, aside from

the improvement in the sanitation and hygiene practices of the people, the cooperation among

people was enhanced. There were also remarkable improvements in information sharing,

donations, and volunteerism from everyone. Appreciation and societal support for the front-

liners were lavishly expressed in both the main and social media. As for families, they had

more time together since the lockdowns. Thus, the need to re-think a solution that balances the

economic and health aspects considering the social dimensions of the crisis.

For the environment, cleaner air albeit an increase in solid waste was observed. The ECQ

contributed to the lessening of traffic in the major thoroughfares which in turn led to lesser

emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air, thus improving the air quality.

Solid waste, however, had increased due to the higher usage of packaging materials following

the rise in food delivery services and those of other essential products, as well as greater

volume of hazardous waste, such as disposable masks.

Anticipated decline in Davao Region’s GVA growth rate in the agriculture, forestry and

fishery (AFF) production. With the imposition of an Enhanced Community Quarantine

(ECQ) to prevent the COVID-19 spread, Davao Region’s AFF sector is anticipated to

experience slower growth in gross value added for 2020. Considering the notable decline in

the volume of production of majority of Davao Region’s priority commodities in 2019, and

the restrictions imposed in the early part of 2020 due to ECQ, the said decline was forthcoming.

Among these restrictions included work stoppages in agricultural farms and in big banana

plantations where workers were not able to report for work because of limited public

transportation. These difficulties in accessing farms resulted in the delay in undertaking farm

activities which was anticipated to lead to a slight reduction of yield.

This scenario was exacerbated by the restrained movement of agricultural produce which

resulted in (a) increased food waste due to spoilage of highly perishable commodities, (b) lower

farmgate prices for agricultural/fishery products, and (c) higher retail prices of food

commodities. The closure of restaurants and other food chain establishments also created huge

food surpluses such as vegetables, poultry and dairy products, among others.

The estimated income losses of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector as gleaned from

the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of DOLE XI revealed a total of

PHP806,355 as of May 29, 2020. The said amount came from a total of 88 AFF Sector

establishments in the Region with about 2,202 affected workers.



Sufficient supply of food in the Region, albeit risks of decline if Quarantine further

extends. As of the imposition of the ECQ in March, Government agencies reported that food

supplies were still sufficient until the ECQ is lifted. On March 31, 2020, based on the

instruction of the Regional Task Force 11-COVID-19 Chairperson to provide a projection of

the food supply outlook for the entire Davao Region if the pandemic persists in the next

months, the DA XI reported that the supplies for meat, vegetables and fruits were still good

for at least four months, while the rice supply was projected to last for two months granting

that there is no hoarding. Thus, the DA XI recommended to heighten the Task Force’s

monitoring efforts on the possible hoarding of basic commodities in the region.

The DA XI assured that there was sufficient supply of food with production outlook for basic

commodities until June 2020. For rice, Davao Region expected a total of 137,411 MT from

local production for the second quarter of the year, while 93,464.00 MT from the import

production supply, which were adequate to meet the region’s demand for April-June 2020.

This was further supported by DA Secretary Dar’s pronouncement on April 27, 2020 that there

was enough rice supply for the country until March 2021.

Likewise, Tables 2.1 and 2.2 show that fish, livestock and poultry, as well as vegetables and

fruits, are also assured of the needed supply based on the projection until June 2020.

RICE 1,112.00 3,807.00 37,026.00 30,509.00 45,830.00 20,868.00 44,848.00 41,006.00 4,235.00 39,966.00 1,222.00 1,255.00 134,273.00 137,411.00

CORN 674.15 5,978.80 6,698.87 13,055.05 12,656.22 16,566.54 4,924.28 11,811.24 8,898.03 16,802.29 9,565.10 15,053.39 43,416.65 79,267.31

1,786.15 9,785.80 43,724.87 43,564.05 58,486.22 37,434.54 49,772.28 52,817.24 13,133.03 56,768.29 10,787.10 16,308.39 177,689.65 216,678.31

AMPALAYA 1.50 5.11 9.6 30.26 8.20 25.68 12.03 36.73 1.14 3.51 0.05 0.16 32.52 101.45

EGGPLANT 2.00 6.55 4.44 14.00 7.20 22.55 18.18 55.51 0.63 1.94 0.94 2.99 33.39 103.53

TOMATO 2.00 6.52 18.91 59.61 16.00 50.11 - - 0.37 1.14 0.55 1.75 37.83 119.13

POLE SITAO 5.40 17.23 6.39 20.14 18.20 57.00 5.06 15.45 - - 0.29 0.92 35.34 110.74

OKRA 1.00 3.48 0 - 26.20 82.05 5.92 18.08 0.17 0.52 0.35 1.11 33.64 105.25

UPO 0.00 - 0 - - - 4.00 12.21 - - 0.10 0.32 4.10 12.53

SQUASH 2.00 6.58 18 56.74 13.40 41.96 36.40 111.14 0.08 0.25 0.76 2.42 70.64 219.09

PECHAY 1.00 3.54 0.2 0.63 7.80 24.43 2.00 6.11 - 1.01 0.90 2.87 11.90 38.58

MUNGBEAN 0.00 - 0.04 0.13 - - - - - 0.40 - - 0.04 0.53

PEANUT 0.02 0.07 0 - - - - - - 0.80 - 0.41 0.02 1.28

CARROTS 0.01 0.12 0 1.00 60.00 187.90 6.60 20.15 0.03 0.09 - 0.21 66.64 209.47

WHITE POTATO 0.00 - 0 - 60.00 187.90 1.90 5.80 - - - - 61.90 193.70

CABBAGE 0.01 0.04 0 1.50 80.00 250.54 5.30 16.18 0.34 1.05 - 0.41 85.65 269.72

CHINESE CABBAGE 0.02 0.08 0 0.99 80.00 250.54 0.80 2.44 - 0.40 - 0.21 80.82 254.65

SNAP BEANS 0.02 0.08 0 0.78 26.00 81.42 - - - 0.20 - - 26.02 82.48

BROCOLI 0.01 0.04 0 1.00 50.00 156.59 - - - 0.40 - - 50.01 158.03

CAULIFLOWER 0.01 0.04 0 0.89 65.00 203.56 0.65 1.98 - 0.40 - 0.10 65.66 206.98

LETTUCE 0.02 0.07 0 0.56 40.00 125.27 - - - 0.30 - - 40.02 126.20

15.02 49.54 57.58 188.22 558.00 1,747.49 98.84 301.78 2.76 12.42 3.94 13.88 736.14 2,313.34

ONION - 0 - 0.01 0.01 - - - - - - 0.01 0.01

GARLIC - 0 - - - - - - - - - - -

BANANA (ALL VARIETIES) 1,190.86 415.00 1,303.81 45.00 140.93 7,665.32 20,641.97 39.00 119.36 38.90 70.78 8,203.22 23,467.70

PINEAPPLE 299.49 0.00 - - - - - - - - - - 299.49

MANGO (CARABAO MANGO) 25.22 0.00 - 20.00 62.63 - 10.80 0.90 4.93 14.00 18.22 34.90 121.80

PAPAYA - 0.00 - - - - 10.03 - - - - - 10.03

CALAMANSI - 0.00 - - - - - - 1.21 - - - 1.21

WATERMELON - 0.00 - - - - - - - - - - -

0.00 1,515.56 415.00 1,303.81 65.00 203.56 7,665.32 20,662.80 39.90 125.49 52.90 89.00 8,238.12 23,900.22

DAVAO REGION (TOTAL)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

APRIL -

JUNE 2020

(MT)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

APRIL - JUNE

2020 (MT)

DAVAO DE ORO DAVAO DEL SUR DAVAO DEL NORTE DAVAO ORIENTAL DAVAO OCCIDENTAL

TOTAL FRUITS

LO

WL

AN

D V

EG

ET

AB

LE

S

DAVAO CITY

CE

RE

AL

S

COMMODITY

TOTAL CEREALS

UP

LA

ND

VE

GE

TA

BL

ES

TOTAL VEGETABLES

SP

IC

ES

FR

UIT

S

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

BEGINNING

INVENTORY

(MT)

Table 2.1 Cereals, Vegetables and Fruits Supply Inventory and Projection, in Metric Tons (MT), by Province/Region, April 15, 2020

Source: DA XI



With the region still on quarantine, and until a vaccine or cure has been made available, the

Region may still face potential shortages in food supply despite the stable or higher demand of

agricultural or food products in supermarkets where consumers have been purchasing food

items for a month’s supply.

For instance, Davao de Oro reported

problems they encountered with food

supply because of the COVID-19 threat,

such as delays in the transport of agriculture

and fishery products due to quarantine

protocols; and the cessation of operations of

a number of firms and entities that were

involved in distribution, buy-and-sell,

processing and consolidation of agri-

product supplies. They reported that if the

situation worsens, this may lead to the

subsequent closing of shop of these buyers

and marketers/processors of agricultural products. As such, local produce coming from the

provinces will be threatened and wasted or will rot in the field.

In addition, the augmentation in the supply of imported rice may experience some difficulty as

Vietnam had already declared temporary suspension of their ri

Documents

Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate ......Briones, 2013 Davao Region Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal,