NEDA: Cordillera lost P18.6 billion to Covid; autonomy to boost econ

P33. 4-B needed for recovery 

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera lost ₱18.6 billion due to Covid-19, the National Economic Development Authority Cordillera said, and to address this, the region will push realization of a Cordillera Autonomous Region to boost economy.

The regional NEDA which headed formulation of the regional recovery and resiliency plan on Covid-19, said ₱33.4 billion was needed for recovery of the region.

The pandemic showed urgent development needs of the Cordillera, according to Regional Development Council chairperson and Abra Gov. Jocelyn Bernos.

She said funds were needed for research and development support in agriculture technology and infrastructure, more empowerment of enterprises, inclusion of pandemics in disaster preparedness and  information technology infrastructure.
In her State of the Region Address on July 29, Bernos congratulated Cordillerans for showing the rest of the country the region’s spirit in hard times.

The SORA media forum, led by NEDA and Philippine Information Agency, culminated the month-long celebration of the region’s 33rd founding anniversary with the theme ”One Resilient Cordillera: Embracing the new normal towards recovery”.
“While we were busy implementing policies and programs towards further development in our respective local government units, Covid-19 forced us to make re-adjustments in our priorities,” said Bernos.

She cited commendable actions of Cordillerans that made headlines during the Luzon-wide community quarantine.

Special mention was given to Sadanga Mayor Gabino Ganggangan and the 30 other municipalities who applied the principles of binnadang, the Cordilleran way of bayanihan.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong was also commended for leading and applying methods of contact tracing to curb the spread of the virus.

This year’s Cordillera month celebration pushed through despite Covid-19 and modified to fit health guidelines and protocols. “Our quest for regional autonomy and sustained development will not be set aside”, said Bernos.

This year’s celebration provided webinars for entrepreneurs and  business sector which took a significant setback. The RDC economic development committee, this year’s lead in the celebration, conducted numerous seminars in product innovation, business resiliency, and information technology literacy while continuing to raise awareness on regional autonomy to provide Cordillerans with knowledge to recover and reach the full potential of the region.
Despite these challenges, Bernos thanked RDC’s development partners -- local chief executives, lawmakers, government agencies, private sector, academe and civil society organizations.