To reduce potential economic disruptions during calamities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his economic managers discussed the proposal to end the blanket suspension of classes and onsite government work during extreme weather disturbances.
On Wednesday, the chief executive met with members of the 11th Economy and Development (ED) Council Meeting in Malacañang to discuss measures to discuss the disaster-resilience of the schools and the economy.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that among the highlights of the meeting was the proposed guidelines for the suspension and resumption of classes and on-site work.
The measure aims to make the said suspension and resumptions localized, evidence-based, and responsive to various hazards, ‘in order to safeguard the welfare of students and teachers while protecting learning and instructional time.’
The Department of Education (DepEd) made the proposal after the national government suspended classes for several weeks last month due to the heavy rainfall from typhoons and the Southwest monsoon, which caused severe flooding in parts of Luzon.
Other issues, which were tackled in the meeting were on infrastructure for transportation, particularly trains, food security and workforce.
‘The agenda includes modifications to certain PPP (public private partnerships) and Official Development Assistance projects for these purposes,’ PCO said.
As of press time, Malacañang has yet to disclose details of the said approved modifications.
The 11th Economy and Development (ED) Council Meeting was held amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which triggered a spike in oil prices.
The Department of Energy has formally certified that the one-month average price of Dubai crude oil has reached the US$80-per-barrel threshold under the Republic Act No. 12316.
It noted the government can now consider suspending or reducing excise taxes on petroleum products.
In a press briefing last Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said economic managers has yet to decide on the matter.
‘As of now, the DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) has not yet provided a final evaluation or recommendation [on the suspension or reduction of oil excise tax on oil],’ Castro said.
Pending the said decision, she said the government will continue the implementation of its Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to provide support to sectors, which were affected by the high oil prices.