Kagyat na ayuda para sa mga nasa MECQ

Anakpawis Partylist today reiterated demands for urgent economic relief and social amelioration for affected sectors in light of the latest declaration of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 4 to 18.

“Dapat mabigyan ng ayuda ang mga nasa saklaw ng MECQ. We reiterate strong public demands for economic relief, free mass testing and prioritization of health response to COVID.”

Duterte, in his speech last night, said that even with the MECQ, there will be no distribution of food relief and social amelioration because there is no more budget available.

“The government borrowed billions for COVID response, yet President Duterte have been repeatedly saying “wala na tayong pera.”

“Saan napunta ang bilyon-bilyong pondo ng Bayahihan at ang mga inutang ng gobyerno?,” asked former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao.

“Whatever form of quarantine without social amelioration will be ineffective and futile. People will still try to go out and seek source of income. At this period, the government must know the lessons of ECQ,” Casilao added.

“Social amelioration is necessary. Millions of no work, no pay employees in NCR, Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal as well as public utility drivers need cash and economic assistance. There will be no work for two weeks. Where will workers get food for their families? Hindi pa talaga nakakabawi ang masa sa ilang buwang ECQ at lockdown, panibagong lockdown na walang ayuda na naman.”

For its part, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said the IATF-EID and its ringleaders Eduardo Ano, Delfin Lorenzana, Carlito Galvez must be made accountable for their bungled and failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These airhead generals must resign from their posts and let medical and health experts take the helm of the national COVID response. We have proven enough that militarist and repressive solutions to the pandemic did not help at all to flatten the curve. In fact, cases are skyrocketing at more than 100,000 infections,” says Danilo Ramos.

“Duterte is acting all irritated and defensive with the medical and health community’s call for a ‘timeout.’ We do not deserve this kind presidency and government. Enough is enough. Timeout na rin dapat sa mga pahirap ni Duterte,” Ramos concluded.