PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will “most likely” issue an executive order to offer incentives to businesses locating outside of Metro Manila in order to help decongest the National Capital Region, as recommended by a section of the Cabinet, Malacañang said Monday.
In a statement, the President’s Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said Mr. Duterte’s Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) proposed during the Cabinet meeting Monday to decongest Metro Manila “by reducing its population density and incentivizing the economic activities outside of the region.”
Asked during a news conference at the Palace, Mr. Panelo said the Cabinet “approved” the recommendation.
“Inaprubahan namin iyong ano eh, iyong motion to approve the suggestion,” he said.
Whether an executive order will be issued, Mr. Panelo said: “Most likely.”
Mr. Panelo added that the CCAM-DRR also proposed “to require all agencies to submit their public service continuity plans should The Big One occur.”
He said the CCAM-DRR also wants the next Congress to pass the bill creating the Department of Disaster Resiliency that will serve as the government’s lead agency for the implementation of risk reduction policies, programs, and projects.
“Having an earthquake resilient archipelago was highlighted by Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Chairperson and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, together with National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. They recommended that the Office of the President, through the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, push for the passage of the creation of the Department of Resiliency in the 18th Congress,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
