Govt must invest wisely in Covid-19 recovery

AS the world begins to sense that there will be an eventual end to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, governments have been turning their attention to trying to repair the economic and social damage it has caused. The Philippines, of course, is no exception, with the Duterte administration announcing extensive spending plans to relieve the immediate hardships and get the country back on its feet in the long term.

For the most part, the government’s plans appear to follow a rational progression of priorities. The most immediate needs are to ensure there are adequate medical resources and emergency assistance to those with the least means to look after themselves while the crisis is ongoing, so the bulk of the government’s efforts are being directed to those two goals.