Sotto: All Filipinos, not just the poor, should receive assistance
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday appealed to the government to include all affected sectors in distributing aid in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III
(PRIB Photo by Henz Austria/11 November 2019) Sotto issued anew a statement amid increasing concerns among families affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed to counter the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The ECQ has been extended until April 30. He said the government should expand the coverage of its emergency subsidy program to include formal and middle-income workers. "Government assistance should cover all those who are affected by the lockdown. Government should strive to help everyone whose sources of income and livelihood have been crippled by the pandemic," Sotto said. "Even the middle-income needs help. Nawalan din naman sila ng pagkakitaan, nabawasan din ang kanilang source of income (They, too, lost sources of income)," he added. He noted reports that salary adjustments have been adopted by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to stretch their financial resources while the Luzon region remains under lockdown.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III(PRIB Photo by Henz Austria/11 November 2019) Sotto issued anew a statement amid increasing concerns among families affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) imposed to counter the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The ECQ has been extended until April 30. He said the government should expand the coverage of its emergency subsidy program to include formal and middle-income workers. "Government assistance should cover all those who are affected by the lockdown. Government should strive to help everyone whose sources of income and livelihood have been crippled by the pandemic," Sotto said. "Even the middle-income needs help. Nawalan din naman sila ng pagkakitaan, nabawasan din ang kanilang source of income (They, too, lost sources of income)," he added. He noted reports that salary adjustments have been adopted by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to stretch their financial resources while the Luzon region remains under lockdown.