PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will 鈥渕ost likely鈥 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, Malaca帽ang said Monday.
In a statement, the President鈥檚 Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said Mr. Duterte鈥檚 Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and Disaster Risk Reduction (CCAM-DRR) proposed during the Cabinet meeting Monday to decongest Metro Manila 鈥渂y reducing its population density and incentivizing the economic activities outside of the region.鈥
Asked during a news conference at the Palace, Mr. Panelo said the Cabinet 鈥渁pproved鈥 the recommendation.
鈥Inaprubahan namin iyong ano eh, iyong motion to approve the suggestion,鈥 he said.
Whether an executive order will be issued, Mr. Panelo said: 鈥淢ost likely.鈥
Mr. Panelo added that the CCAM-DRR also proposed 鈥渢o require all agencies to submit their public service continuity plans should The Big One occur.鈥
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鈥檚 lead agency for the implementation of risk reduction policies, programs, and projects.
鈥淗aving 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,鈥 he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
