Sotto on emergency subsidy: It’s ‘ongoing,’ ‘hindi instant coffee ito’

MANILA, Philippines — Families affected by the enforcement of the Luzon-wide quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic need not worry as up to P8,000 in financial aid will be coming their way.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III made the assurance Tuesday in the wake of appeals for the immediate release of the financial assistance to around 18 million Filipino families.

“Displaced workers have started (receiving) their (P5,000) for the month through DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) remittance centers,” Sotto said in a message to reporters.

“Relax lang, mahina ang kalaban. Hindi instant coffee ito,” he added.

Asked if the distribution of the financial assistance is now underway, Sotto told INQUIRER.net in a Viber message: “Yes. Started (and) ongoing for (DOLE) and 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program).”

Aside from giving special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the recently enacted “Bayanihan To Heal As One Act” includes the granting of emergency subsidy worth P5,000 to P8,000 to each household of the around 18 million low-income earners across the country.

President Rodrigo Duterte already submitted to Congress his first weekly report on the implementation of the said law.

Earlier, Sotto said he expects that the report would include an update on the distribution of the emergency subsidy to affected families, mass testing efforts, and assistance given to frontline health workers.

/MUF