and; d) using electronic copies of research documents in processing research funding at the school level. 7.
Guidelines on the provision of ICT infrastructure and communication allowance in all government levels especially those who deliver online services.
8.
Moratorium on the implementation of CHED issuances on Student Internship Program in the Philippines (SIPP), Student Internship Abroad Program (SIAP), International Educational Tour (IET) and local off- campus programs during the pandemic.
9.
Policy to consider public health risks in land use planning. Separate parameters on public health risks such as pandemics/epidemics will be taken into consideration in the analysis of planning environment to facilitate integration in land use and shelter planning process.
10. Guidelines for location of vital facilities (e.g. quarantine/isolation areas, crematorium, health facilities) should be developed and considered in land use plans to mitigate the negative impacts of epidemics/disease outbreaks in the community. In addition, guidelines and urban design recommendations for sanitation, hygiene and public health should be developed and promoted. 11. Local shelter planning should consider provision of healthy and adequate homes and spaces to the informal settlers, who are considered as one of the most vulnerable population during the outbreak. This includes review of the existing design of houses taking into consideration the distances between housing units and the average floor area per person. 12. Policies will be developed to ensure that local shelter plans are disaster-/diseaseresilient and should be harmonized/synergized/ integrated with land use plans to ensure that residents of planned resettlement/settlement areas will have access to basic socioeconomic services.
Infrastructure and Transport COVID-19 had a major impact on the transportation sector as all passenger land and sea transport services were suspended during the period. International and local flights were also cancelled but on a staggered basis. The New Normal requires setting up of stringent health safety protocols, which would entail revising the operations manual and procedures of the infrastructure and transportation agencies to respond to this changing norms. Addressing the limited logistics brought about by border restrictions is of importance particularly on public works, power and water repair and maintenance. The important role of digital infrastructure in the New Normal was also brought to fore as means of communication were mostly through video conferencing, text messages, and, social media. Connectivity to all and in bolstering internet speed to allow for faster and better communications became a paramount concern.
Western Visayas COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan Thematic Strategies to Mitigate Losses 111
