The University of the Philippines Visayas sponsored a session during the Economy and Environment Group Philippines First National Conference with the theme Health, Environment, and Economic Development: Road to Recovery and Resiliency (HEED the 3Rs) on 19 – 20 November 2020.
The UPV-sponsored session titled "Facing the Pandemic: The Experience of the Small Island Province of Guimaras” had three presentations from the junior economics faculty members: Ms. Louie Marie T. Eluriaga on "Experience and Coping with COVID-19 Pandemic and Community Quarantine Restrictions Among Families in Guimaras Province;” Ms. Gay Margarett A. Gange on "How are the fishers and farmers faring during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Guimaras Province?”, and Ms. Lylve Maliz L. Zeller on "How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the local business in Guimaras Province?"
The session has attracted more than 100 participants from 16 organizations. Ms. Kezzie Lyn B. Hilado of the Department of Management served as rapporteur, while Prof. Alice Joan G. Ferrer of the Division of Social Sciences was the session chair.
The online conference was organized by the Economy and Environment Group Philippines (EEG Philippines) in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). The conference brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, local and national economic managers, and students to share and discuss the latest findings, experiences, ideas, and lessons related to the theme. The aim was to understand better the interconnectedness of health and the natural environment to socioeconomic development in the light of COVID19, which will support the identification and formulation of approaches to better respond and safeguard socio-economic development.
The plenary speakers were 1) Dr. Gem B. Castillo, National Director, REAP-EEG Philippines; 2) Hon. Stella Luz A. Quimbo, Representative, Second District of Marikina; 3) Dr. Cielito F. Habito, Professor, Ateneo de Manila University and Chairman, Brain Trust: Knowledge and Options for Sustainable Development, Inc; 4) Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education; and 5) Hon. Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Vice President, Republic of the Philippines.
The other simultaneous session sponsors of the conference were SEARCA, NEDA, UP Resilience Institute, UP Mindanao, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, PCAARRD, Partido State University, and the Visayas State University.
