MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Leni Robredo has asked the government to provide safety nets for Filipino workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine due to COVID-19, especially those who are relying solely on their daily wages.
Robredo explained in her recent message on Tuesday that while she also believes that social distancing and the suspension of work are key to curbing the COVID-19 outbreak, many people under the no-work, no-pay scheme may go hungry over the one month quarantine.
“Base sa mga ipinatutupad na kilos ng gobyerno, malawakang social distancing measures ang prayoridad […] Pero batid kong para sa marami sa atin, lalo na ang mga umaasa sa arawang kita, malaking sakripisyo ito,” she said.
(Based on the rules set by the government, a widespread social distancing is the priority. But I understand that for many of us, including those who rely on a daily wage, this is a big sacrifice.)
“Ngunit nananawagan tayo sa lahat: Mahigpit nating sundin ang mga social distancing measures, dahil gagana lamang ang istratehiyang ito kung lahat tayo susunod. Nanawagan din tayo sa pamahalaan na ipatupad ang mga social safety nets upang gumaan ang pagdaraanan ng ating mga kababayan,” she added.
(But we are calling on everybody: Let us strictly follow the social distancing measures, because this strategy would only work with everybody’s cooperation. We are also calling on the government to provide social safety nets to help people through daily challenges.)
According to Robredo, the cash grants of the government should be distributed through the cash cards, which will avoid crowds from assembling.
“Una: Agarang pagbabahagi ng Pantawid Pamilya benefits, pensyon ng matatanda, at unconditional cash transfers. Magagawa ito nang hindi pinapipila o pinagsisiksikan ang mga tao. Tiyak kong makakatulong ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa gawaing ito,” she explained.
(First, immediately distribute the Pantawid Pamilya benefits, the pension for the elderly, and the unconditional cash transfers. This can be accomplished without asking people to line up or to crowd an area. I am sure that the local government can help in this activity.)
“Ikalawa: Pagkakaroon ng ayudang pinansiyal para sa mga arawan ang kita na mawawalan ng sahod sa panahong ito. Kabilang na dito ang mga naglalako ng paninda, mga karpintero, mga tricycle at padyak driver, at iba pa,” she added.
(Second, provide financial aid for people who earn on a daily basis, who may lose their salaries under the quarantine. These include street vendors, carpenters, tricycle and pedicab drivers, and others.)
Robredo revealed on Monday that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has decided to postpone programs geared at helping poor families. She urged the government to reinstate the cash grants as it would deter workers from leaving their homes.
However, Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista clarified social aid would still continue even with the suspension of the programs. Earlier, DSWD said that beneficiaries with pending subsidies can still receive it through their cash cards.
READ: Robredo urges gov’t to reinstate 4Ps amid COVID-19 crisis
READ: DSWD confirms: Cash transfer programs suspended, but aid for poor continues
On social media, netizens aired the sentiments and concerns of workers who rely on daily wages — like public utility vehicle drivers and other low-income earners — as they would not be allowed to work.
Other people working for frontline services meanwhile complained of a lack of available transportation mode, being forced to walk for kilometers just to reach their destination.
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the whole of Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine, to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak. As of now, the Department of Health says that a total of 187 patients in the Philippines tested positive for COVID-19, while 12 have died from the disease.
Another six patients were allowed to go on a home quarantine, while four have recovered from the ailment.
READ: BREAKING: DOH record 45 new cases of COVID-19; total now at 187
READ: Luzon now under ‘enhanced community quarantine’ – Palace
The COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that first emerged in China’s city of Wuhan in Hubei province in late 2019.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.
Coronavirus is a family of viruses, whose surfaces have a crown-like appearance. The viruses are named for the spikes on their surfaces. Worldwide, over 168,000 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19, with at least 6,506 dead.