More needs to be done to generate jobs and reduce hunger among Filipinos, Malacañang admitted Friday after a survey showed many families had little or nothing to eat during the coronavirus pandemic.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the government has taken steps, including providing financial aid, to low income families and displaced workers but recognized that much remained to be implemented.
"Naiintindihan natin talaga na kapag hindi nakapagtrabaho ang mga tao ay talagang ang resulta ay kagutuman (We understand that if people cannot work, the result is hunger)," he said over government television Friday, April 30.
"Ginagawa natin ang lahat para maibsan ang problema ng kagutuman sa panahong pandemya pero alam natin na mas marami pang dapat gawin (We are doing everything to ease the problem of hunger during the pandemic but we know there is still a lot to be done)," he added.
A survey conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute last November showed that six out of 10 families have suffered from having little or nothing to eat during the pandemic.
At least 62.1 percent of Filipino families experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, according to the results of the poll. Around 71.8 percent of the respondents were forced to borrow money to buy food while 66.3 percent asked for food from their relatives and friends.
Recognizing the hardship of people living under a community quarantine, Roque highlighted the government's programs aimed at helping families struggling to cope with the pandemic.
He mentioned the cash subsidy program given to low-income persons living in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces were recently placed on a two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
President Duterte earlier approved the distribution of P1,000 worth of aid in cash or in-kind to 22.9 million people living in ECQ areas. More than 15 million people have so far received the ECQ "ayuda."
From the strict lockdown, the National Capital Region Plus has also been deescalated to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) since April 12. The easing of movement curbs included allowing more businesses to operate so more people can resume their work. The MECQ in NCR Plus will remain in effect until May 14.
"Kahit gusto natin pahabain ang lockdown na ito ay napakahirap ng desiyon dahil tinitimbang natin ang kahirapan na magiging bunga ng lockdown (Even if we wanted to prolong the lockdown, it is a difficult decision because we are taking into consideration poverty arising from the lockdown)," Roque said.
"Sa ngayon ay solusyon natin diyan ay yung ating mga ayuda at pag-distribute ng mga food packs ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at lokal na pamahalaan na ito naman ay over and above sa ayuda na binibigay natin (For now, our solution is to provide assistance, distribute food packs by DSWD and local government units which are over and above the aid we are giving)," he said.
He said the Department of Labor and Employment also provides assistance to workers affected by the pandemic, including emergency employment. Loans are also offered to micro, small and medium enterprises struggling to operate during the pandemic.