Bayan seeks accountability from gov’t regarding COVID-19 spread in PH
Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines — The group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) demanded accountability from government officials including President Rodrigo Duterte “for failing to act adequately and swiftly to avert the crisis” of the COVID-19 spread in the Philippines.
There are 307 confirmed cases of the virus as of Saturday with the Department of Health tallying 19 deaths and 13 recovered patients.
“Bayan called for appropriate forms of protest actions to push the government to adequately respond to the crisis,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes in a statement Saturday.
Reyes said that with the enhanced community quarantine imposed in the entire Luzon, public participation is encouraged through social media instead of congregating en masse.
Bayan also launched a campaign against COVID-19 that the government could implement “in cooperation with citizens and groups that have the capacity” and breaking those two measures into two groups.
Health measures:
1. Adequate budget for free testing, treatment and containment of COVID-19 as well as rehabilitation of health services
2. Free and systematic mass testing for COVID-19, prioritizing PUIs, PUMs, and those in high infection areas
3. Additional equipment, supplies and personnel for hospitals
4. Community-based sanitation and quarantine centers
5. Support and protection for frontline health personnel
6. Improved systems to address COVID-19 down to the community level.
Socio-economic measures:
7. Prohibit layoffs and provide assistance to affected workers
8. Emergency relief packs and other assistance to the poor
9. Moratorium on payments and penalties for basic utilities and services, including rent and loans
10. Price controls and adequate supply of basic goods and services
11. Adequate transportation for those who need it
12. Prohibit demolition of informal settlers and provide shelter to the homeless.
“The group urged its members to support frontline personnel and agencies against COVID-19, as well as organize volunteer brigades to hold information, sanitation and disinfection, and relief drives in the community.”
