Social Protection in the Time of COVID-19 – an East Asia Pacific Chief Economist Practitioners' Panel

Although countries in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) have traditionally been reluctant spenders on social protection, their response to COVID-19 has been substantial and broad-based.

A panel of policy makers involved in social protection discussed how their countries have responded to COVID-19, rapidly scaling up support, reaching new groups in need, and using digital technologies.

CHAIR

• Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President, East Asia and the Pacific Region, World Bank

PANELISTS

• Ketsuda Supradit, International Economic Advisor, Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance, Thailand
• Maliki, Director for Population Planning and Social Protection, Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Indonesia
  
• Rhea B. Peñaflor, Assistant Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippines
• San San Aye, Director General, Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Myanmar