By Mario B. Casayuran
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday appealed to concerned government agencies to provide needed assistance to the vulnerable sectors of society and informal workers whose lives are most affected by the enhanced community quarantine imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (FACEBOOK /MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Magtulungan tayo. Kung ano man po ang mga kailangang gawin o mga proseso na dapat padaliin para maibigay ang tulong mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno para sa mga pinakanangangailangan nito ngayong may krisis, gawin natin,” he said, adding that the welfare of the most affected sectors of society should be protected in these trying times. (We should help one another. We should work towards the adoption of measures or processes to be able to give assistance during this current crisis.)
Among those whose lives are adversely affected the most by the strict measures imposed by government to control the spread of the virus are senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant and lactating women, solo parents, and indigent indigenous peoples, Go said.
“Gusto natin na mabigyan ang lahat ng mga Pilipinong apektado ng quarantine ng kaukulang atensyon at suporta. Prayoridad dapat rito ang mga Pilipino na alam nating limitado na ang galaw, medyo mahina o nahihirapan maghanap ng pagkain at ikabubuhay habang naka-home quarantine,” Go said.
(We want to give all the attention and support to those affected by the enhanced community quarantine policy. The priorities here should be those Filipinos with limited mobility, who are weak or find it difficult to find food and a means of livelihood while under home quarantine.)
He also emphasized that informal economy workers, mass transport workers particularly tricycle drivers, public utility vehicles and other transport groups, and transportation network vehicle service drivers such as those working for Angkas, Joyride, and Grab should also be given assistance because of the temporary stoppage of their operations in most urban areas.
“Bagamat masakit mawalan ng kita ng isang buwan, nag-cooperate sila sa utos ng gobyerno para rin po sa kapakanan ng lahat. Nararapat rin lang na tugunan rin natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan,” he said. (While it hurts to lose monthly income, they are cooperating with government directives to benefit everybody. It is just and fair that government should also help them.)
Go is recommending that government utilize existing programs that could provide immediate support for these sectors to ease their burden.
Among these are the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD’s) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), distribution of food and non-food items, and Livelihood Assistance Grants, in addition to the sustained provision of food assistance and non-food essentials to the most affected families.
“Gamitin po natin ang resources ng gobyerno ng tama para tulungan ang mga taong pinaka-apektado ng krisis na ito. Nandiyan naman po ang mga programa, ipamahagi na natin sa nangangailangan sa lalong madaling panahon,” Go said. (Government should properly use its resources to help those most affected by this crisis. Those programs are already there, let us use them to immediately help those in need.)
According to Go, the AICS program is an integrated services program of DSWD to individuals and families in crises or difficult situations. Livelihood Assistance Grants may also be distributed to recipients after the quarantine period as a way to cope with economic losses of affected families.
“These existing programs can be used to provide financial assistance on top of the distribution of food packs and non-food essentials such as toiletries to vulnerable groups and informal workers most affected by the situation we have now,” he explained.
To observe proper quarantine protocols during the provision of these various forms of assistances, Go mentioned that local government units (LGUs), with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), should be tapped to assist concerned government agencies in the distribution.
“Gawin natin ang lahat upang masiguro na maihatid ang tulong sa pamamahay ng vulnerable groups ng ligtas at hindi sila exposed sa sakit. Kailangan nating ipakita ngayon sa ating mga kababayan ang malasakit natin sa kanila. Pera naman nila ito. Ibalik natin sa kanila lalo na ngayon na apektado ang kabuhayan nila,” Go said.
(Let us do all we can to make sure to send the aid to the homes of people in vulnerable groups in a safe manner so that they are not exposed to the disease. We need to show our compatriots now our care for them. This is their money anyway. Let us give it back to them especially now that their livelihoods are affected.)
Go emphasized that at this time of crisis, government officials should do everything they can to find answers to the people’s struggles and be of service to the Filipino people.
“The government as a whole should continue to do its job in a manner that will not put the health of others at risk. Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang tulong sa kapwa Pilipino, tuloy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo,” Go said. (Our help to our countrymen should not be withheld. Our services to them must continue uninterrupted.)
Go urged everyone to unite and do the best they can to protect the welfare of all Filipinos, especially those who are most vulnerable and are struggling to survive while the country is trying to address the COVID-19 situation.