The unutilized P18 billion funds under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) is "crucial" for poor Filipinos in the face of the economic crisis brought about by the pandemic and the government's "insufficient" response, militant fisher's group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said on Sunday, July 4.

The fisher's group hit the Duterte administration for its "snail-paced" implementation of pandemic response program that a huge chunk of its funds was left unspent as Bayanihan 2 lapsed last June 30.

In June, Palace spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed the government has yet to utilize some P18 billion funds for the Philippine COVID-19 response under the Bayanihan 2. However, he assured that at least 87 percent of the funds have been "obligated."

PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said the unspent funds of the Bayanihan 2 are "a reflection not only of the government's incompetence, but also its abandonment of responsibility to the Filipinos amid a crisis."

"This is both infuriating and disheartening given the fact that assisting the poor Filipinos in these hard times is the primary responsibility of the government," Hicap added.

PAMALAKAYA backed the proposals of both legislative chambers for the extension of the availability of funds under the Bayanihan 2 until Dec. 31, 2021 to "help distressed Filipinos get back on their feet."

Both PAMALAKAYA and Anakpawis have been seeking a P15,000 subsidy to at least one million Filipino employed in the fisheries and aquatic sector for production and livelihood expenses.

The production subsidy proposal was already filed by the Makabayan bloc in Congress under House Bill No. 9192.

"P18 billion is more than enough to support our struggling fisherfolks who are considered as food security frontliners but are among the hardest hit of the pandemic. The government should be reminded that food security during an emergency situation is an indispensable issue next to public health," Hicap said.