Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday urged the government to prepare funds to distribute as emergency cash assistance as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country continue to rise with the emergence of new, more transmissible variants.
Hontiveros said she believes this can be done—and should be done—even if state economic managers still refuse to support bills proposing the passage of a ‘Bayanihan 3’ measure pending in the House of Representatives and Senate.
“Four million Filipinos and their family have no means to sustain for their everyday needs because of a lack of job. Those who have jobs, on the other hand, have to contend with shorter hours of work,” Hontiveros noted in a statement.
“They need cash assistance to help them tide over these localized and granular lockdowns,” the senator stressed.
The senator pointed out unemployment is hitting double digits in regions, like in Calabarzon at 13.1 percent, and Bicol at 11.4 percent, both of which are higher than the national unemployment rate.
At this point, she said workers—especially the four million unemployed in January—would be the most affected by the reinstatement of curfews and stricter health protocols.
Thus, she said, the “looming national lockdown” should prompt the government to provide another round of cash assistance.
“The daily increase in the number of new cases is very alarming. We must anticipate and prepare for all possible scenarios, including mobility restrictions, especially now that Metro Manila mayors have already imposed curfews again,” she added.
She, likewise, urged the economic managers to consider giving another round of cash grants to families affected by COVID-19.
Hontiveros also said the government can provide wage subsidy for workers not receiving wages because their companies are in financial distress.
The government, she added, should also augment the resources of local government units (LGUs) especially those whose areas were placed under lockdown.
“Experts have already warned us. And we have already seen this before last year when we were battling the pandemic. We already know where this will lead us, so we can’t just adopt a chill attitude. I can’t emphasize enough how badly our Kababayans need aid,” Hontiveros said.
“From overwhelming hospital bills to drastic hunger due to joblessness, emergency aid is a basic need in this pandemic,” she reiterated.