NEDA Cordillera readies for 2021 dev’t challenges

 By Marissa M. Cabatu

Baguio City – The Cordillera National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) planned Thursday to address this year’s uncertainties due to the continuing challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    The agency identified its development directions based on the 2021 agency country development priorities anchored on economic recovery as spelled out by NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua.
    The region’s stakeholders can expect a more visible NEDA this year, as it heightens its advocacy on the updated regional development and investment plans including the Covid-19 regional recovery
program.
    It intends to up dissemination of its various research reports, project monitoring, reports, economic and development situationers among others.
    The NEDA supports priorities of the Regional Development Council particularly on its advocacy for regional autonomous governance.
    It also prioritizes support to administration’s priorities which include the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) prograM, and whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflicts (ELCAC) though the Regional Task Force.
    The agency reviewed its previous year’s accomplishments focusing on lessons from the global health crises, from its economic impact to the mandatory lockdowns and work-from-home arrangements.
    NEDA Regional Director Milagros Rimando said lessons from 2020 which ushered a work-from-home arrangement in the public sector provided opportunities and challenges.
    “We’ve learned a lot from the uncertainties and there will be a lot of uncertainties for 2021 that’s why there is need to plan,” she added.
    Confident that these priorities will contribute and yield results towards regional economic recovery, NEDA Assistant Regional Director Stephanie Christiansen encouraged the staff to complete work in outputs demonstrating its unique brand of professionalism, integrity and excellence as it serves the RDC and the region.
    She also echoed Sec. Chua’s message that while NEDA aims to produce and deliver results, safety should not be compromised.