THE government is set to embark on its “largest and widest” social protection program in the country’s history, which will cover 18 million poor households, to offset the economic impact of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a video recorded public address aired late Monday evening, President Duterte bared how the P200 billion for the emergency subsidy component of the Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act will be implemented.
“Beneficiary-households will receive emergency support for two months based on the regional minimum wage,” Duterte explained.
Currently, the largest daily minimum wage in the country is in the National Capital Region (NCR) at P537, while the lowest is in Region 1, which is only at P282.
RA 11469 stipulates that the minimum emergency subsidy in a month per beneficiary should be P5,000 and the maximum subsidy should be P8,000.
Distribution process
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles explained the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will distribute the cash subsidy after it completes handing out its food packs using its master list of qualified household beneficiaries.
During the food packs distribution, he said DSWD will get additional beneficiaries from the separate list from local government units (LGUs), to be vetted by DSWD personnel if they are indeed qualified for the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP).
Qualified ESP household beneficiaries are those with one family member belonging to the vulnerable or disadvantaged sectors including senior citizens; person with disabilities; pregnant and lactating women; solo parents; indigenous people; subminimum wage earners and those under a “no-work, no-pay” work arrangement.
He said the DSWD will use the consolidated list of the national government and LGUs in identifying households to be given the ESP.
Business assistance
Duterte said the large-scale quarantine related to Covid-19 has caused an unprecedented “loss of economic opportunities” not only in the country, but also in international superpowers like the United States and China.
He said they are also aware that businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, will need government aid to recover from the Covid-related quarantines.
Duterte said he already tasked his economic team to craft the guidelines for the proposed “recovery packages” for the affected establishments.
RA 11469 gives the President the power to ensure availability of credit to productive sectors of the economy through measures like lowering lending rates of interests and reserve requirements of lending institutions.
Duterte said he hopes these interventions will be sufficient for the workers in the private sector who will be displaced because of Covid-19.
“We implore employers to do their part in protecting the welfare of the millions of Filipino households that belong to the formal sector and depend on their employers for continuous livelihood,” Duterte said.
Valuable contributions
Amid the still rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country, Duterte has committed to “protect” and “reward” medical personnel, who are in the forefront of government efforts against the pandemic.
He said the government, in cooperation with the private sector, is now procuring 1 million additional personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used by the medical personnel.
“So they should continue with their work. The supplies are already there and we could buy additional ones if needed,” Duterte said.
Duterte again recognized the heroism of medical workers and other frontliners during the Covid-19 health crisis, especially those who died in the performance of their duties.
“They are the ones who died to save others. They are the lucky ones since they died for the country,” Duterte said, adding it [serving the country] is a good reason for “why we should die.”
The chief executive also thanked the countries, including China and Singapore, and private companies and institutions, which donated much needed resources to the country to help in its campaign against Covid-19.
“On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank you [for your] compassion and your generosity, and my personal gratitude,” Duterte said.
Full accountability
Duterte assured the public of full transparency in government’s use of all its resources and funds for its anti-Covid 19 measures.
“All of the details of our actions will be part of my report, which will be submitted to Congress pursuant to Bayanihan Act,” Duterte said.
He also committed to hold accountable all the government officials who will misuse government resources during the Covid crisis either to make a profit or to further their political ambition.
“If you will be politicizing [in responding to the needs of Covid-affected communities] and I got word of it, I will suspend you immediately. And for those who are really absconding [with] the money, I will detain you, I said, and maybe I will release you after the Covid [crisis],” Duterte said.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza