Gov’t Php1.5T COVID-19 response strategy bloated, misleading
A closer look shows that the government is not actually spending as much as it claims, IBON said. This casts doubts on its real efforts to battle the pandemic, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable Filipinos.
On the sixth week of lockdown: Millions of Filipinos going hungry, suffer amid worst mass unemployment in history
This means that as many as 13.6 million or 76% of the 18 million poorest families have not received emergency subsidies and are going hungry, said the group. IBON said that millions of households are at risk of hunger because of the poor reach of emergency subsidies and even of government’s other financial assistance programs.
‘Government made financial aid to workers even more inaccessible’
“Where is government when workers need financial aid? DOLE was able to provide assistance to only less than 300,000 workers when millions of workers are displaced in Luzon alone. The government made financial aid to workers even more inaccessible after it stopped receiving applications for CAMP (COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program).”
‘The potential for abuse is high’
“The current COVID19 crisis is a health issue with far-reaching social implications. It should not be treated as a mere peace and order problem where enforcement is the main concern. The potential for abuse is high if Martial Law-type enforcement is implemented.”
There’s funding to respond to COVID-19 – the problem is at the top
The priority is saving lives and easing hardship. The problem right now is not lack of a national effort to deal with these – so many Filipinos are struggling everyday to deal with the pandemic and they deserve all the help they can get. As so many are already realizing – the problem is at the top.
Church group calls on gov’t to reciprocate CPP’s truce extension
“We call on President Rodrigo Duterte to put a heavy premium on peace and the release on humanitarian grounds the vulnerable during this time of crisis. Today, more than ever—as our nation and the whole world prays for healing—is the time to ‘seek peace and pursue it,” PEPP said, quoting the Bible.
‘Finance department is still oblivious’
“The Philippines is in the worst public health crisis in its history. Yet the finance department is still oblivious and prioritizes “[honoring] financial obligations”, “investor confidence”, and a warped notion of being a “credible and responsible borrower”.
‘Matigas ang ulo niyo!’
Blaming the people for quarantine woes and difficulties absolves the government of its primary responsibility of effectively fighting COVID19 while protecting the rights and welfare of the people. “Matigas ang ulo niyo!” doesn’t explain away the problems the regime itself should be accountable for.
Health group demands mandatory mass testing for all health workers
“We are very much worried and alarmed about the health condition of our fellow heath workers. Mostly, those health workers who died were infected due to lack of personal protective equipment, aggravated by 12 hours duty a day for 7 to 8 days,” AHW said.
Bayan Muna, namamahagi ng tulong sa mga apektado ng lockdown
Naglunsad ang Bayan Muna Partylist ng programang “Bayang Matulungin” upang magpamahagi ng tulong sa mga pangunahing apektado ng Enhanced Community Quarantine.