Govt rolls out P200-B assistance
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte unveiled on Monday night the government’s “largest and widest” social protection program as the country ramps up its efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In his public address, Duterte said the P200-billion relief assistance would benefit low income families badly affected by the health crisis.
“The government is now launching the largest and widest social protection program in our country’s history to make up for the loss of economic opportunities due to the quarantine measures in place for Covid-19,” he said.
“Merontayong P200 billion na i bin i gays aakinng Kong re so para ga stu sinko.Iy on na man ho ang gin ag am it kong pa kala tn gay on nap era para ma big ya nangl ah atmg aw alan gt rab a ho, may tr ab a ho, kala hating tr ab a ho. An gm ga maya man, hindi nak as ali( We have P200 billion given to me by Congress to spend. I will give the money to those who have no jobs,
who have part-time jobs. The rich will be excluded),” he added.
He said those in the informal sector, those who “live day to day on subsistence wages,” those on “No work, no pay” arrangements would also receive emergency support for two months.
The President said the government was procuring medical supplies, devices and personal protective equipment.
“About 1 million medical protective items are being acquired right now. We’re also ramping up our capacity to test more broadly to take a fuller and more accurate picture of the spread of Covid-19 in the country. We will also build, operate...more medical facilities and laboratories in the coming weeks,” he said.
Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” law allows government to realign P275 billion from the national budget to address the health crisis.
Of this amount, around P200 billion will be utilized for the emergency subsidy plan for 18 million low income households.
These households will receive financial assistance between
P5,000 and P8,000 each month for two months.
The remaining P75 billion will be used for “health-related initiatives and other services.”
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said on Tuesday that among those who would receive assistance are families with at least one member who was a senior citizen, person with disability, and pregnant or lactating woman.
He said solo parents, indigenous peoples, the underprivileged sector and homeless citizens are also covered by the government’s social amelioration program.
Nograles added that public utility vehicle drivers, workers, house helpers, vendors, people with small businesses, subminimum wage earners and employers affected by “No work, no pay” policy would also receive the cash aid.
“This public health crisis has disrupted the lives and livelihoods of many of our countrymen, but government will exert all efforts to ensure that millions of Filipino families are taken care of,” Nograles said.
“In the coming days, the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) will provide details as to how deserving families will be able to receive these subsidies,” he added.
Continuous livelihood
Duterte also appealed to the private sector to help deal with the national emergency.
“We implore employers to do their part in protecting the welfare of the millions of Filipino households that belong to the formal sector and depend on their employers for continuous livelihood,” he said.
Duterte promised to provide assistance to farmers, fishermen and small businessmen to cope with the health emergency.
The President said the economic team has started to prepare the guidelines for the “recovery package” to help micro, small, and medium enterprises deal with the economic effects of coronavirus pandemic.
He vowed to ensure the unhampered flow of cargo to maintain a steady supply of food, goods and other essential supplies and items.
On top of this assistance, the President said food packs and essential non-food items were also being distributed to local government units in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
He said areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were receiving similar assistance.
“Rest assured that the national government is behind you as we safeguard the welfare of our people in your communities,” Duterte said.
“Gagawinkolahatparawalang magutom (I will do everything to ensure that no one will go hungry),” he added.
LGUs warned
At the same time, Duterte threatened to detain local government officials who would engage in corruption amid the public health crisis.
“I am not a cruel man pero kungmay report angpulis (but if there are police reports), I will order your detention hanggang matapositong Covid- 19 ( until the pandemic ends),” he warned.
The President noted that he would also suspend national and local officials involved in politicking.
“Kungmamulitikakatapos mabalitaankona‘yunangnagawa mo (If you engage in politicking and I hear about it), I will suspend you ora mismo (on the spot). And for those who abscond with the money, I will detain you, and maybe I will release you pagkatapos Covid (after the pandemic ends),” he said.
In a radio interview on Tuesday, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said erring local government officials would be slapped with criminal charges.