Ex-VP Binay: Give benefits to caregivers taking care of COVID-19 patients
Former-Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay urged the national government to also give benefits to individuals who are also taking care of their relatives who have contracted COVID-19.
Binay aired his suggestion as the country continues to face the new surge in COVID-19 cases brought about by the Omicron and Delta variants that are said to be more contagious than the original coronavirus.
"Since the pandemic began, more and more Filipinos have been caring for their elderly parents. Not only have they lost income, but the oppressive situation under this pandemic places them under enormous emotional strain," Binay said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 13.
Binay said that some of those who are taking care of their loved ones who are COVID-19 positive are forced to resign from their jobs to take care of their relatives full-time.
Most of them are also spending their own money in buying the medical needs of their patients, tirelessly lining up in drugstores, and bringing their family to the hospital where they are also the ones looking out for them.
"Mahirap ang dinadaanan nila lalo na’t may pandemya, pero ginagawa nila ito dahil sa pagmamahal sa kanilang mga magulang (They are all going through a lot during this time of pandemic, but they are doing all of this out of love for their parents)," the former-vice president said.
"Family caregivers should be given additional paid leaves, free medicine and hospital care for their loved ones, or reimburse out of pocket medical expenses. Those who are unemployed should be given financial and other assistance," he added.
Binay said those taking care of their loved ones must also be taken cared of.