Flattening the Curve Is Not Enough

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This quarter’s Development Research News (DRN) focuses on some socioeconomic issues confronting the Philippine healthcare system. The banner story highlights the importance of a strategic response to contain the coronavirus disease pandemic and to mitigate its adverse impacts on the Philippine economy. The DRN also features articles on the country’s lack of healthcare workers and the challenges confronting our social health insurance programs for the vulnerable sector, particularly the poor households, the elderly, and women. Articles on some of the factors affecting the effective implementation of public health programs at the city/municipal level are also included in this quarter’s DRN. Completing this issue is an article about the data gaps in the agriculture sector and an infographic on the Philippine services sector.