Duterte: Middle class should receive assistance, but funds not enough
Published Apr 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte agreed with Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla that those belonging to the middle class should also be included in the government's social amelioration program during the Luzon-wide quarantine period.
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement after Remulla, in an open letter addressed to the President, said the government should also consider the welfare of the middle class as they were the ones who "have climbed their way up in life."
In his late-night public address Monday, Duterte agreed with Remulla about the middle class receiving help from the government, but said the funds are not enough.
"The point raised by Governor Remulla of Cavite, I think, is valid. We’ll try to remedy whatever kung may mapulot pa tayo sa daan (if we find something down the road)," he said.
"Itong namang ‘yung tawag natin na sa middle income, eh ‘yung kanila nakaupa lang ng bahay na medyo maganda sa subdivision, then may kaunting pera sila para de-deposito nila (Our middle income earners are the ones who are renting a nice house in a subdivision and have some money saved) for the rainy days.
"Now what is really very sad is that the rain has arrived," he added.
According to the President, the P275 billion for the two-month social amelioration program is intended for the poorest of the poor affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"The economy is not moving, standstill, so wala tayong kita. Ang ginagamit natin ito na ‘yung nireserba natin na pera (so we're not earning anything. What we're using is money we have reserved)," Duterte said.
Duterte called on Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to find ways to get more money to help the people during the quarantine period.
"The P270 billion for two months ‘yan naka-program na (that was already programmed) as earlier estimated is not enough," he said.
"I’m calling on the Secretary of Finance to generate---magnakaw ka, maghiram ka, wala akong pakialam, i-produce mo ‘yung pera kasi ‘pag naubos na ito… Hindi ko malaman," he added.
(Steal, borrow, I don't care, as long as you produce the money, because if this runs out... I don't know)," he added.
While the government looks into the possible extension of the Luzon-wide lockdown until April 30, Duterte said they will also look into including the middle class in the emergency subsidy program.
"If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30. Tingnan natin after that. In the meantime, mag double-time kami sa tinatawag niyong middle class (Let's see after that. In the meantime, we'll do something about the middle class)," he said.
In his open letter, Remulla asked President Duterte to consider including the middle class in the program as they are often overlooked by the government.
"As governor, I am respectfully asking that you consider them to be part of the social amelioration program. They may not get as much as the poorest of the poor, but please consider their welfare," he said.
"They are often overlooked. They pay the most taxes. They keep our economy alive. They are mostly law-abiding citizens. They need a break," he added.
The government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, started distributing cash aid ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 last week to poor Filipino families as part of its social amelioration program that aims to benefit 18 million poor Filipino families.
However, Governor Remulla said COVID-19 knows no social class.
"It is a time of crisis for everyone. Not just the poorest of the poor, but also those who have built much but not enough," he said.
"They wait for the LGUs to give them relief goods, but those come few and far in between. They scrimp and pawn and borrow. They are barely surviving," he added.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7t5f6b?fbclid=IwAR3ZnKp6H93_-TXxk2v9qi8iPVasZqYNzcpFUytcBiR9h9Jjfg-PoB6oLG8
(ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Duterte made the statement after Remulla, in an open letter addressed to the President, said the government should also consider the welfare of the middle class as they were the ones who "have climbed their way up in life."
In his late-night public address Monday, Duterte agreed with Remulla about the middle class receiving help from the government, but said the funds are not enough.
"The point raised by Governor Remulla of Cavite, I think, is valid. We’ll try to remedy whatever kung may mapulot pa tayo sa daan (if we find something down the road)," he said.
"Itong namang ‘yung tawag natin na sa middle income, eh ‘yung kanila nakaupa lang ng bahay na medyo maganda sa subdivision, then may kaunting pera sila para de-deposito nila (Our middle income earners are the ones who are renting a nice house in a subdivision and have some money saved) for the rainy days.
"Now what is really very sad is that the rain has arrived," he added.
According to the President, the P275 billion for the two-month social amelioration program is intended for the poorest of the poor affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"The economy is not moving, standstill, so wala tayong kita. Ang ginagamit natin ito na ‘yung nireserba natin na pera (so we're not earning anything. What we're using is money we have reserved)," Duterte said.
Duterte called on Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to find ways to get more money to help the people during the quarantine period.
"The P270 billion for two months ‘yan naka-program na (that was already programmed) as earlier estimated is not enough," he said.
"I’m calling on the Secretary of Finance to generate---magnakaw ka, maghiram ka, wala akong pakialam, i-produce mo ‘yung pera kasi ‘pag naubos na ito… Hindi ko malaman," he added.
(Steal, borrow, I don't care, as long as you produce the money, because if this runs out... I don't know)," he added.
While the government looks into the possible extension of the Luzon-wide lockdown until April 30, Duterte said they will also look into including the middle class in the emergency subsidy program.
"If you really want to know, we have discussed it actually even before this, we are inclined to extend the lockdown up to April 30. Tingnan natin after that. In the meantime, mag double-time kami sa tinatawag niyong middle class (Let's see after that. In the meantime, we'll do something about the middle class)," he said.
In his open letter, Remulla asked President Duterte to consider including the middle class in the program as they are often overlooked by the government.
"As governor, I am respectfully asking that you consider them to be part of the social amelioration program. They may not get as much as the poorest of the poor, but please consider their welfare," he said.
"They are often overlooked. They pay the most taxes. They keep our economy alive. They are mostly law-abiding citizens. They need a break," he added.
The government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, started distributing cash aid ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 last week to poor Filipino families as part of its social amelioration program that aims to benefit 18 million poor Filipino families.
However, Governor Remulla said COVID-19 knows no social class.
"It is a time of crisis for everyone. Not just the poorest of the poor, but also those who have built much but not enough," he said.
"They wait for the LGUs to give them relief goods, but those come few and far in between. They scrimp and pawn and borrow. They are barely surviving," he added.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7t5f6b?fbclid=IwAR3ZnKp6H93_-TXxk2v9qi8iPVasZqYNzcpFUytcBiR9h9Jjfg-PoB6oLG8