Lost jobs may return with new quarantine protocols – NEDA

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) foresees jobs lost during the prolonged pandemic getting revived because of the ongoing mass vaccinations and granular lockdowns.

NEDA said the new alert system and granular lockdowns on pilot run in Metro Manila (for possible nationwide implementation) will hopefully “bring back jobs lost due to blanket restrictions.”

Latest government data showed unemployment rate went down to 6.9% in July, the lowest since the pandemic struck in April 2020, but still above pre-pandemic levels.

The Philippine unemployment rate in July was second highest in Asia, after India’s 9.7% for the April to June period, according to NEDA.

“The country’s unemployment rate continues to be relatively high compared to major Asian emerging economies, except for India, which experienced a massive surge of COVID-19 cases in recent months,” NEDA said.

NEDA added the policy shift in the country’s quarantines needed to be “complemented by better implementation of the prevent, detect, isolate, treat and reintegrate vaccinate strategy, which will help curb the spread of the virus and ensure that people can continue reporting to work safely.”

“Establishments are likewise encouraged to innovate and adopt digital solutions to ensure business continuity,” NEDA said.

Mass inoculation will play a key role in economic recovery. NEDA noted that as of Sept. 5, “more than a quarter of the targeted population of essential economic workers have received at least one dose” of COVID-19 vaccines.

Getting more Filipinos vaccinated “will help build consumer and business confidence, translating to increased employment and income opportunities,” NEDA said.

NEDA had been pushing for a faster rollout of the nationwide mass vaccination program to resume consumer confidence and spending.