NEDA implements skeleton workforce as COVID-19 cases rise

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which has called for the reopening of the economy to boost growth, has implemented a skeleton workforce this week due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Sought to confirm online posts that the central office was put on lockdown as staff members have tested positive for the disease, NEDA said it continues to operate, albeit on a limited basis.

"Non-critical staff of the National Economic and Development Authority-Central Office are advised to work from home this week as preventive measure given the number of cases/suspected cases," it said in a message to reporters.

"With safety measures in place, NEDA is open to ensure critical service continues," it added, as it noticeably did not use the term "lockdown."

Just last week, economic managers including NEDA acting secretary Karl Kendrick Chua pushed for the further reopening of the economy despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.

Signed by Chua, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, and Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, the statement was released by the economic managers after the government reported that unemployed Filipinos rose by 1.6 million in January.

Chua in January said Filipino families lost P1.4 trillion in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions, equivalent to P2.8 billion daily spending power lost.

The Philippines is set to mark its one-year under quarantines on March 17 with a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases. There were 5,404 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported on Monday to bring the total to 626,893. This includes 53,479 active cases 560,577 recoveries, and 12,837 deaths.

Metro Manila is also set to implement uniform curfew hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. in the next two weeks, on top of the liquor ban to be implemented in several cities.—AOL, GMA News