By Genalyn Kabiling
Believing women are more trustworthy than men when it comes to budgeting and wise use of money, President Duterte has directed authorities to give the government's financial assistance to the wives instead of the husbands during the quarantine period.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte updates the nation on the government's efforts in addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on May 4, 2020. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
Since last month, the government has been distributing cash subsidies to millions of low income families grappling with the latest health emergency. The welfare program for poor household beneficiaries will be continued until this month.
In his latest address to the nation, the President said the wife should receive the subsidy for the family amid concerns some abusive husbands might just waste the money on gambling and drinking session.
"This is a direct order to everybody: ‘pag mag-distribute kayo ng pera, ibigay ninyo sa babae, to the wife (If you distribute the money, give it to the woman, to the wife)," Duterte said in his remarks aired on state television Monday.
"Huwag ninyong ibigay diyan sa mga lalaki 'yung mga wala na ngang ginagawa, wala ng trabaho, walang ibinibigay sa pamilya at mayroon pang dadating na pera, isinusugal naman ninyo. Kung ako ang mayor, maabutan mo drinking and gambling sa tulong ng tao (Don't give it to the men. They're not doing anything. They don't have jobs. They don't give it to the family. If there's money, they will gamble it away. You just waste the aid intended for people on drinking and gambling)," he said.
Duterte said he expects Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to implement a mechanism to ensure the financial aid will go directly to the wives.
He lamented that some foolish husbands "don't really care about the family," engage in vices, and at times beat their wives and children. If the husbands insist on getting the money, he said the government may instead give them food supplies equal to the amount.
"Kasi kung ibigay mo baka itong mga wala ng trabaho, ibigay mo naman sa asawa ‘yung pera, maglasing doon sa labas tapos pagbalik niya, bubugbugin pa ang asawa (Because if you give the money to the jobless men, they will just get drunk and might even beat their wives)," he said.
Duterte has cautioned men not to commit violence against women and children. He urged women to immediately report to the police if there is an instance of abuse or violence in the household.
"Maghanap ka ng pulis diyan. Batukan mo ang ulo para makita mo. Itong mga ‘to marami 'yan. They are aplenty. Kayong mga Pilipino, ‘pag malasing, wala na ngang ibinibigay sa pamilya, nambugbog pa ng pamilya ang mga bata pati (Look for a cop. Hit him on the head. They are aplenty. You Filipinos who get drunk, you don't give anything to the family, and even beat up family members including children)," he added.
In his sixth weekly report to Congress, the President highlighted the government's efforts to protect the rights and welfare of women and children during the quarantine period. He said the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Desks are working with local government units on this matter.
As of April 30, he said the police recorded 763 cases of crimes against women and 521 cases of crimes against children since the enhanced community quarantine started last March.