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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Makabayan solons seek SAP implementation in GCQ areas

Makabayan solons seek SAP implementation in GCQ areas

Published May 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-Atienza The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives is seeking the continued implementation of the government's social amelioration programs during the imposition of general community quarantine (GCQ). Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate led the filing of House Bill (HB) No. 6692 or the proposed “Social Amelioration During General Community Quarantine Act of 2020" which seeks to provide "continued economic relief" to individuals working in industries affected by GCQ. "Even after the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), the social and economic reality remains true Filipinos, especially to the employees of the establishments and industries that are not allowed to operate under the GCQ. "For this reason, it is necessary to continue the implementation of SAP to the affected individuals and families," the Makabayan lawmakers said in their bill's explanatory note. They said the current national health emergency crisis should prod the government to provide economic relief to individuals and families affected by the strict implementation of mitigating measures. Joining Zarate in filing the bill were Bayan Muna party-list Reps. Ferdinand Gaite and Eufemia Cullamat, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago. HB 6692 calls for the extension of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) "for the entire duration of the implementation of the GCQ." The progressive solons noted that during the ECQ, the Duterte government rolled out its social amelioration initiatives, which provide economic subsidies between P5,000 to P8,000 to qualified beneficiaries and is targeted to cover 18 million households whose livelihoods were affected by the quarantine. The government's other initiatives include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and Expanded and Enhanced Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the DSWD; Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers Program (TUPAD), #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK) Disinfecting/Sanitation Project, and COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) of the DOLE; and Rice Farmers Financial Assistance of the DA. HB 6692 tasks the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) to determine the low-risk and moderate-risk areas of the Philippines where the GCQ is being implemented. Under the bill, the beneficiaries of the program are the affected individuals working in industries and establishments that are not allowed to operate under GCQ. These include amusement, gaming, and fitness establishments; Category IV industries as defined by the Department of Trade and Industry; hotels or similar establishment not allowed to operate; schools conducting physical classes; and other similarly-situated industries and establishments. The funding source for the implementation of the proposed Social Amelioration During General Community Quarantine Act of 2020 shall be determined by the Department of Finance in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management. The Makabayan lawmakers also scored President Duterte's late declaration of a state of calamity due to COVID-19 on March 16. "Considering the unpreparedness of the country’s health sector due to numerous budget cuts throughout the past and present administrations, the late declaration of a health emergency, despite the on-going health crisis in the other parts of the world, further put the Filipinos at even bigger risk," they said. "Worse, with millions of Filipinos living below the family living wage, millions, too, were left with no savings and no source of income when the different levels of community quarantine were implemented," they added. The Luzon-wide quarantine was supposed to lapse on April 30, but it was extended until May 15 in the form of an ECQ and GCQ. Among the areas placed under ECQ were National Capital Region, Region III (Central Luzon) except Aurora Province, Region IV-A (Calabarzon), Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo Province, Cebu Province, and Davao City.
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