By Genalyn Kabiling The government will give priority to the distribution of financial assistance to the country’s poorest families before aiding large businesses like airline companies. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
(YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "Unang-una muna po, iyong pinakamahirap po muna ang bibigyan natin ng ayuda (We will first give assistance to the poorest in the country)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference Thursday. Roque issued the statement after local airline companies requested a P8.6 billion monthly subsidy to jumpstart their operations amid the debilitating coronavirus crisis. The airline industry may reportedly suffer P250 billion in revenue losses while thousands of jobs maybe affected due to the travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. For now, the government is gearing up for the distribution of the second tranche of the emergency subsidy program for poor families in areas under enhanced community quarantine. Around 13 million families are expected to benefit from the second batch of financial assistance, according to Roque. "At dahil limitado po iyong ibinigay ng Kongreso na 205 billion, minabuti po ng IATF na para sa second tranche eh iyong mga areas under ECQ na lamang ang bibigyan ng ayuda and this amounts to around thirteen million beneficiaries pa rin po (Because of the limited P205 billion funds given by Congress, the IATF decided that only those living in areas under ECQ will benefit from the second tranche and this amounts to around 13 million beneficiaries)," he said. "Ang dahilan naman po, dahil nasa GCQ (general community quarantine) na sila pupuwede na sila kahit papaano magtrabaho, maghanapbuhay hindi gaya noong mga nasa ECQ (The reason is because they can resume work in GCQ, unless those under ECQ)," he said. Roque said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea is expected to release a memorandum on the distribution of the second tranche of the financial aid for poor families. He hinted though that the President may still decide to include all originally intended beneficiaries under the social amelioration program. "The ultimate decision will lie with the President. Alam ninyo naman po si Presidente, talagang siya’y nag-utos na magbigay pa ng five million, tingin ko po, kung sa tingin niya eh kinakailangang bigyan ang lahat eh gagawan niya ng paraan (You know the President, he ordered the inclusion of (an additional) five million families. I think that if he believes everyone should be given aid, he will find a way)," he said. "Pero sa ngayon po, hintayin natin ang desisyon ng ating Presidente (But for now, let's wait for the decision of the President)," he said. To mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the government initially wanted to distribute subsidy amounts ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 to benefit 18 million low income families for the months of April and May. An additional five million families will be included in the list of beneficiaries in the first tranche. The government task force later decided that the second tranche will be limited to beneficiaries living in ECQ areas as of May. Roque said the financial aid will likely be given through electronic money transfers in highly urbanized cities. He also renewed the President's warning against committing abuse and corruption in the aid distribution. A reward has been offered for information on any government official involved in irregularities in the distribution of the relief aid. He said authorities have started investigating 188 complaints of suspected corruption. At least 44 barangay officials may face criminal and administrative complaints from the Department of Interior and Local Government, he added. "Ang Presidente nga po, magbibigay ng pabuya doon sa mga whistleblowers at magsusumite ng ebidensiya dahil hindi po natin palalampasin ang kumakana ng ayuda na dapat sana ay mapunta sa pinakamahihirap sa ating lipunan (The President has given a reward to whistleblowers who can submit evidence because we will not tolerate those stealing the aid intended for the poorest in society),” he said.