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I, together with my other colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives, recommended to the President of the Republic that a special session of both Houses of Congress be called so that the legislative branch can convene to tackle and pass appropriate measures granting a supplemental budget in order to give the President and other concerned agencies the flexibility of utilizing funds as they deem necessary to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

President Duterte has already responded to this recommendation and has called on Congress to hold the Special Session immediately.

I have discussed the matter with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano who both said that they are ready to hold the Special Session at the soonest possible time, either on Saturday or Monday next week.

Based on our discussion, the priority is to ensure that additional funds can be allocated for immediate healthcare needs and for much-needed financial and food assistance to Filipinos, particularly the vulnerable sectors, daily wage earners and informal economy workers affected by the strict quarantine measures being imposed.

Both houses of Congress have expressed their commitment to find ways to respond to the needs of the people, especially at this time when decisive government action is imperative.



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Senator Win Gatchalian urged local government units (LGUs) to introduce clear, definitive guidelines in addressing the plight of the homeless during the Luzon-wide "enhanced community quarantine" over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

An already vulnerable population where many of whom suffer from health problems, Gatchalian raised that homeless people live in environments where they have little access to facilities for basic hygiene, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and making it difficult to realistically self-isolate from anyone who might be carrying the virus. He says this in itself is already violative of the social distancing policy of the government.

LGUs should have the discretion on how to handle the cases of the homeless as Gatchalian said it is crucial that they seek out those who have no shelter, put them under a decent roof, and help them access health care services. Food and hygiene kits should also be distributed, he added.

"How can they self-quarantine if they have no place to live and stay apart from the others", asked Gatchalian.

"Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang mas nanganganib na magkasakit dahil wala silang mauwian. Kung nais nating pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19, kailangan nating siguruhing ligtas at may masisilungan ang mga pamilyang walang tahanan," he added.

Gatchalian said people who have literally no resources and no guaranteed place to stay are the ones who need far more help because they're relatively at high risk for coming down with COVID-19.

For Gatchalian, one step to reduce homelessness nationwide is the establishment of a nursing home for abandoned and homeless senior citizen in every LGU. This is the objective of Senate Bill No. 737 or the "Homes for the Abandoned Seniors Act of 2019" that he filed, which takes inspiration from Valenzuela City's own nursing home called Bahay Kalinga.

According to Habitat for Humanity's country profile for the Philippines, there are 4 million families living in unsafe, unsanitary and unsustainable conditions. The housing organization also reported that by 2030, the Philippines could have a backlog of 6.5 million units. Hope, a non-profit organization on children's welfare, estimated back in 2015 that there are 250,000 children on the streets nationwide, 30,000 of whom are in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gatchalian added that shelters accommodating the homeless should be equipped in observing protocols in handling potential cases of COVID-19, which requires close collaboration with health officials and improved capacity for identifying and reporting symptoms related to the virus.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the government to refrain from making insensitive and arrogant remarks in the duration of the national public health crisis precipitated by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

De Lima said majority of the Filipino people expect assurance from the government as they struggle to adjust their daily lives with the imposition of "enhanced community quarantine" aimed to contain the further spread of coronavirus.

"This is the height of arrogance and insensitivity! Napakawalang-hiya! But this is expected, coming from Salvador Panelo, the spokesperson of a murderous, anti-poor regime," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame 739.

"This is how you reassure your fellow Filipinos in a life and death emergency, "walang namamatay sa gutom." As you are the presidential mouthpiece, should we assume that the government is asking the people to just wait and suffer because safety nets for our survival, especially for the poor, do not exist?," she added.

In a news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo reportedly said that nobody will die of hunger as the government imposes enhanced community quarantine that suspended public transportation and some business operations.

The lady Senator from Bicol said Panelo and other government officials who speak to clarify Mr. Duterte's directives should be reminded that there are workers who live on daily wages, and that no work for them means no salary for a day.

"Maraming mahihirap ang arawan ang sahod, Mr. Panelo. Walang sapat na kakayanan upang mag-imbak ng pagkain at iba pang pangunahing kailangan sa gitna ng isang public health emergency. Araw-araw, kailangan nilang kumayod upang hindi magutom ang pamilya," she said.

"Matagal na silang nagtitiis sa gutom kung hindi man sa takot na baka sa susunod sila naman ang target ng drug war niyo. Of course, you know this, you just don't care, coming from your seat of privilege," she added.

To date, local health authorities have reported a surge of COVID-19 infections across the country, with at least 17 people who have already died while 217 others are confirmed to have contracted infection.

De Lima urges the Filipino public to make some sacrifices and cooperate with the health authorities' stringent measures to combat COVID-19.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, called government's attention to the plight of the "least of us" in poor communities, including the urban poor, the labor force and the detainees in jails and detention centers as they are vulnerable to the spread of the COVID 19 virus.



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We thank the Bureau of Internal Revenue for reconsidering its business-as-usual state of affairs and extending the deadline for the filing of annual income tax returns to May 15. Just the same, we also plead with our tax authorities to grant a reprieve in the deadline for all other filings in the bureau as well, especially given the enhanced community quarantine where businesses are closed and mass public transportation is suspended.

For instance, tax protests are sensitive to deadlines. If protests are not submitted on time, the assessment will be final. A tax protest entails gathering and collating official documents which are probably kept at offices to support the arguments of the person who filed the protest.

There are also taxes for one-time transactions such as documentary stamp tax (payable within five days from the close of the taxable month), capital gains tax (payable within 30 days from the sale), donor's tax (30 days from donation), and not to mention monthly and quarterly tax filings.

We understand that the extension has dire consequences, which includes incurring a shortfall of P145 billion. But right now, we need a concerted effort to keep our people confined in their homes, and reduce the anxiety they feel as much as possible. Having more infected patients will also be more costly for the government in terms of stretching our already-stressed healthcare system and our coffers as well.

Tulungan po natin ang national at local governments na panatilihin ang ating mga mamamayan sa kanilang mga tahanan habang umiiral ang enhanced community quarantine. Para naman sa mga handang magbayad ng buwis, umaapela po tayo sa kanila na bayaran ito gamit ang mga electronic channels na inihanda ng BIR. Kailangan po ng inyong pamahalaan ang buwis na gagamiting pondo para labanan ang COVID-19.



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We thank the Bureau of Internal Revenue for reconsidering its business-as-usual state of affairs and extending the deadline for the filing of annual income tax returns to May 15. Just the same, we also plead with our tax authorities to grant a reprieve in the deadline for all other filings in the bureau as well, especially given the enhanced community quarantine where businesses are closed and mass public transportation is suspended.

For instance, tax protests are sensitive to deadlines. If protests are not submitted on time, the assessment will be final. A tax protest entails gathering and collating official documents which are probably kept at offices to support the arguments of the person who filed the protest.

There are also taxes for one-time transactions such as documentary stamp tax (payable within five days from the close of the taxable month), capital gains tax (payable within 30 days from the sale), donor's tax (30 days from donation), and not to mention monthly and quarterly tax filings.

We understand that the extension has dire consequences, which includes incurring a shortfall of P145 billion. But right now, we need a concerted effort to keep our people confined in their homes, and reduce the anxiety they feel as much as possible. Having more infected patients will also be more costly for the government in terms of stretching our already-stressed healthcare system and our coffers as well.

Tulungan po natin ang national at local governments na panatilihin ang ating mga mamamayan sa kanilang mga tahanan habang umiiral ang enhanced community quarantine. Para naman sa mga handang magbayad ng buwis, umaapela po tayo sa kanila na bayaran ito gamit ang mga electronic channels na inihanda ng BIR. Kailangan po ng inyong pamahalaan ang buwis na gagamiting pondo para labanan ang COVID-19.



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SENATE President Vicente Sotto III today thanked Finance Secretary Dominguez for acting on his request to be lenient in the filing of income tax returns (ITRs) amid the prevailing Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

Sotto said he was on the phone with Dominguez and directly asked him if flexible arrangements can be applied in the filing of ITRs.

On thursday morning, the BIR said it will allow taxpayers to file their ITRs after the April 15 deadline. The new deadline for the submission of ITRs is set on May 15.

"Times like these, establishing good networks is beneficial. Direct communication can help in this time of crisis. I am very happy that the good Secretary has heeded my request," Sotto said.



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SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday pushed for the holding of a special session of Congress to address the looming public order and financial crisis brought about by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that is now imposed over the entire Luzon region.

Sotto said he has discussed his recommendation with Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez and a high-level economist.

"I suggest for Congress to pass a food subsidy budget in order to provide for the daily wage earners who lost their income," Sotto said.

The Senate chief said that while a P500 per day per family would be the ideal subsidy, a P300/ family day assistance will have to do considering the financial constraint that such an additional expenditure would cause the national treasury.

"Compute the NCR poor to be the beneficiaries. Compute the Calabarzon, the Central Luzon (Region 3) poor who will be affected. The rates may vary in the provinces that have access to fish, vegetables and other basic food supplies. In the NCR, the poor do not have access to these," Sotto said.

Sotto added: "Assuming there are three million poorest of the poor in NCR, with each family consisting of five members. That will be 15 million NCR residents who will be assured that their families will not go hungry while the ECQ is in place."

The proposed P300/family/day subsidy for 30 days in the NCR will amount to about P27 billion. "The experts can extrapolate depending on the number of poor," Sotto said.

Sotto said the subsidy scheme can also be applied in other regions that are threatened with limited food supplies because of the "no work, no pay" policy being enforced by private companies.

Sotto said that while he agrees that home quarantine and social distancing is necessary at this time, government should make an exemption and take risks amid the worsening COVID-19 crisis.

"Lawmakers should bite the bitter pill in an emergency situation such as this. We need to get on our feet and make sure that our people, especially the poorest of the poor, do not worry about going hungry at a time when they should be focusing their attention on staying healthy," Sotto said.

Sotto said Congress could hold the special session with a skeletal work force. "We do not need a full staff in a special session. As long as there are recorders and a limited number of people to operate recorders, I suppose that will be enough. We will work on only one issue to be submitted by the Palace," he said.

He appealed to his colleagues in the Senate: "Let us pool all our suggestions and be prepared should the President decide to call for a special session."



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We support the call for a special session through remote means like teleconferencing or physical presence with the proper safety protocols.

While we believe the national government has enough budget to address the immediate needs of the people, the dire impact of this health crisis could go beyond the one-month quarantine period.

The supplemental budget could be appropriated to expand and strengthen the capacity of the Department of Health in procuring test kits and future cure to the disease, and in hiring health workers and personnel to attend to those infected.

The additional budget will also be needed to bolster support for families hard hit by the quarantine, through cash assistance, alternative livelihood, and food and supply packs.



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Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go appealed to concerned agencies to provide needed assistance to the vulnerable sectors of society and informal workers whose lives are most affected by the enhanced community quarantine imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"Magtulungan tayo. Kung ano man po ang mga kailangang gawin o mga proseso na dapat padaliin para maibigay ang tulong mula sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno para sa mga pinaka-nangangailangan nito ngayong may krisis, gawin natin," he said, adding that the welfare of the most affected sectors of society should be protected in these trying times.

Go said that among those whose lives are adversely affected the most by the strict measures imposed by government to control the spread of the virus are senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women, solo parents, and indigent indigenous peoples.

"Gusto natin na mabigyan ang lahat ng mga Pilipinong apektado ng quarantine ng kaukulang atensyon at suporta. Prayoridad dapat rito ang mga Pilipino na alam nating limitado na ang galaw, medyo mahina o nahihirapan maghanap ng pagkain at ikabubuhay habang naka-home quarantine," Go said.

He emphasized further that informal economy workers, mass transport workers particularly tricycle drivers, public utility vehicles and other transport groups, and Transportation Network Vehicle Service riders, such as Angkas, Joyride, and Grab should also be given assistance due to the temporary stoppage of their operations in most urban areas.

"Bagamat masakit mawalan ng kita ng isang buwan, nag-cooperate sila sa utos ng gobyerno para rin po sa kapakanan ng lahat. Nararapat rin lang na tugunan rin natin ang kanilang mga pangangailangan," he said.

The Senator is recommending that government utilizes existing programs that can provide immediate support for these sectors to ease their burden. Among these are Department of Social Welfare and Development's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, distribution of Food and Non-Food Items, and Livelihood Assistance Grants, in addition to the sustained provision of food assistance and non-food essentials to the most affected families.

"Gamitin po natin ang resources ng gobyerno ng tama para tulungan ang mga taong pinaka-apektado ng krisis na ito. Nandiyan naman po ang mga programa, ipamahagi na natin sa nangangailangan sa lalong madaling panahon," Go stressed.

According to Go, the existing AICS program is an integrated services program of DSWD to individuals and families in crises or difficult situations. Livelihood Assistance Grants may also be distributed to recipients after the quarantine period as a way to cope with economic losses of affected families.

"These existing programs can be used to provide financial assistance on top of the distribution of food packs and non-food essentials such as toiletries to vulnerable groups and informal workers most affected by the situation we have now," Go explained.

To observe proper quarantine protocols during the provision of these various forms of assistances, Go mentioned that local government units, with the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, should be tapped to assist concerned government agencies in the distribution.

"Gawin natin ang lahat upang masiguro na maihatid ang tulong sa pamamahay ng vulnerable groups ng ligtas at hindi sila exposed sa sakit. Kailangan nating ipakita ngayon sa ating mga kababayan ang malasakit natin sa kanila. Pera naman nila ito. Ibalik natin sa kanila lalo na ngayon na apektado ang kabuhayan nila," Go said.

Go emphasized that at this time of crisis, government officials should do everything they can to find answers to the people's struggles and be of service to the Filipino people.

"The government as a whole should continue to do its job in a manner that will not put the health of others at risk. Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang tulong sa kapwa Pilipino, tuloy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo," Go stressed.

Go urged everyone to unite and do the best they can to protect the welfare of all Filipinos, especially those who are most vulnerable and those who are struggling to survive while the country is trying to address the COVID-19 situation.

"Sama-sama po nating harapin ang pagsubok na ito. Sa panahon ng krisis, dapat nagtutulungan tayo na mapagaan ang pasakit ng taumbayan. Magmalasakit po tayo sa bawat Pilipinong apektado at magbayanihan tayo para malampasan natin ang pagsubok na ito bilang isang nagkakaisang bansa," Go said.



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Displaced workers brought about by an enhanced community quarantine triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic deserve to be compensated now, according to Senator Win Gatchalian. He says these workers, both from the formal and informal sector, need not so much time to wait as many of them have to feed their families and provide for their immediate basic needs on a daily basis.

This is why Gatchalian is pushing for the immediate release of the 1.3 billion peso-COVID Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) or the P5,000 peso-per worker aid in private establishments.

The problem, Gatchalian said, is that the assistance package can only be released within two weeks once all the application of beneficiaries are received at the regional offices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Their employers are also required to submit their COVID-19 precautionary measure reports.

"The problem with government is red tape and we need to release the funds now. Hindi na natin dapat pinaghihintay pa ang mga apektadong empleyado dahil kapag hindi natin kaagad maibigay yan, baka bukas makalawa makita natin sila uli sa mga kalsada para maghanap ng kitang iuuwi sa kanilang mga pamilya" Gatchalian shared.

The lawmaker said DOLE can utilize the different local government units (LGUs) to help in identifying their constituents covered by the program and that DOLE should minimize the requirements so that beneficiaries can immediately enjoy their subsidies.

"Kailangang makipag-uganayan ang DOLE sa LGUs dahil sa ganitong paraan ay mas mapapabilis na, mas magiging epektibo pa ang pamimigay ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayang nawalan ng trabaho", stressed Gatchalian.

On the part of the informal sector workers, an emergency employment assistance will be given by DOLE.

The vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs is also proposing a "bridge loan package" for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

"Ang isa ko pang mungkahi ay isang loan package fund sa mga negosyante natin, lalo na yung mga maliliit na negosyante, para may maipang sweldo sila sa kanilang mga empleyado", Gatchalian added.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian joins calls for business owners to relax their 'no work, no pay' policy.



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3/19/20

Just to be clear. I will not join my colleagues to be tested for COVID-19. I have been relatively in involuntary quarantine for the past 3 years. With God's grace, I remain healthy.

The testing kit to be used on me is better given to a symptomatic PUI.

The ideal scenario is mass testing. That is, of course, not feasible given our very limited testing kits. So let's prioritize the testing of PUI and PUM cases, or the symptomatic patients and those exposed to them.

Let us use our limited testing kits sparingly or judiciously and only upon the recommendation of a physician or a health professional complying with testing standards.

Hindi po puwedeng lahat na lang ng matataas na opisyales ay magpa-test kaliwa't kanan kahit walang exposure at symptoms. Mas kailangan po yang limitadong testing kits sa ating mga PUI at PUM cases.



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Senator Leila M. de Lima has called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to reconsider its decision to suspend the cash transfer programs to ease out the burden of its poor beneficiaries during the national public health crisis.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Committee, said she is disappointed with the DSWD's decision done at a time when poor families depend on cash transfer programs during the coronavirus quarantine period.

"As soon as we learned that community quarantine is the only way to arrest the spread of COVID-19, we already know that the poor, who depend on their daily toil for their sustenance, will be most affected," she said her recent Dispatch from Crame 740.

"[The] DSWD should have made sure that programs to ensure that our countrymen will not go hungry are implemented in spite of the quarantine," she added.

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista ordered the temporary suspension of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) and other projects.

According to him, the temporary suspension is aimed at protecting the poor beneficiaries from being exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) which has resulted, thus far, in the death of 17 individuals and the infection of 202 individuals.

Last March 17, however, Mr. Duterte placed the country under state of calamity to allow local government units (LGUs), especially those affected by coronavirus outbreak, to tap its funds to provide basic services to its people, among others.

De Lima, who is the principal author and sponsor of a law institutionalizing the 4Ps, pointed out that is the poor and the marginalized sectors of our society who bear the brunt of the Luzon-wide imposition of enhanced community quarantine.

"The scenes in the checkpoints and public transport stations last Monday should serve as a sobering reminder that many of our countrymen would sooner risk their lives against COVID-19 rather than fail to provide for their families," she said.

"Our government, under the principle of parens patriae (parent of the nation), should ensure that we will provide for those who will not be able to provide for themselves during this time of crisis," she added.

Instead of suspending the cash transfer programs for the poor, the lady Senator from Bicol asked the DSWD to expand its social welfare programs to help in alleviating the sufferings of the most vulnerable sectors, especially among daily wage earners.

"When disaster strikes, the government stands as the only refuge of the lowliest members of society. I implore the DSWD to use this mindset and think of innovative ways to continue with, and even expand, our social welfare programs," she said.

Enacted into law last April, the conditional cash transfer, also referred to as 4Ps, provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, improve their health, nutrition, and access to education of their children.

Under the law, farmers, fishermen, and those in the informal sectors and in disadvantaged areas are automatically included in the government's standardized targeting by the household beneficiary.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called on the national government to fully equip health authorities and assist local officials to prepare for the worst-case scenario in the event that the coronavirus (COVID 19) infection spreads uncontrollably across the country.

In her recent Dispatch from Crame 738, De Lima said that the first order of the day for public health and elected officials should be to prepare the country's health force for the worst-case scenario to stop the further spread of the dreaded coronavirus.

"If this disaster is going to be on the same scale as Italy is now undergoing, our medical facilities should be expanded and our health force reassured that they will get all that they will need, both from the government and the private sector," she said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 has killed nearly 9,000 people and infected over 218,000 around the world. In Italy, over 3,000 people have died while 35,713 others have been tested positive for coronavirus infection.

In the Philippines where a month-long "enhanced community quarantine" is imposed, health authorities have reported 17 people who died and 202 others have been confirmed to have been infected by coronavirus, many of whom are elderly people.

Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire warned that the number of coronavirus cases could reach 75,000 in three months if the government would not take drastic actions to contain and stop the further spread of the virus.

Citing WHO studies, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año who sits at the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases claimed that a person with COVID-19 can potentially infect around 100 people if he is not isolated and treated immediately.

The lady Senator from Bicol, however, pointed out that for the country's health force to do its job well, the government should first have to secure national borders, especially against passengers coming directly from China.

"But as our health force starts to respond to every case of the dreadful disease, we must also make sure that our borders are secure from further infection from the outside, especially China," she said.

"Any remaining flights from that country should be completely banned, something that should have been done two months ago when the first signals of a global pandemic began to arise from Wuhan as its residents started to spread the virus throughout the world, even while bodies already started falling in that city," she added.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development Committee, said that while the Filipino people have to brace themselves for the worst-case situation, the government and the private sector should extend all support necessary to health workers.

"[W]e now have to deal with these ourselves. Beyond the checkpoints and the military's praetorian presence in the next 30 days in our lives, we should not lose sight of the more important requirements to combat the virus," she said.

"These are: a fully-equipped health force, complete and absolute support to our medical professionals and health workers, and efficient delivery of health and medical logistics to our hospitals, both public and private," she added.

More than the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine enforced by police and military personnel, De Lima said well-prepared hospitals would be the last line of defense to treat a possible surge of coronavirus patients, especially among the vulnerable sectors, such as children, elderly and the poor.

"The soldiers' bullets cannot kill the virus, only the skill of our doctors and nurses can. Then it is also just a matter of time before the soldiers themselves start getting infected, and that is when we will realize that the real arena of battle in this fight is not out there in the provincial frontiers, but inside our hospitals and our communities. Here, the doctors and health workers will be our soldiers," she said.



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Sen. Nancy Binay today exressed her disappointment over the slow response of the National Food Authority in address the distribution of rice to disadvantaged families and communities.

"Anong oras na? Dapat ipamigay na ng NFA ang mga bigas sa tao. Importanteng maitawid muna natin kahit 14 days lang ang mga pamilyang direktang naapektuhan ng lockdown. Hindi ito bakasyon--giyera ito," Binay said.

According to the senator, the NFA has in its warehouses enough supply of rice to distribute rice assistance to the most affected residents during the expanded community quarantine.

"Kailangan pa ba nating hintayin na magkagulo at may mamatay sa gutom? Ano ba ang plano? Sana kumilos na para matulungan lahat ng nangangailangan," Binay said.

The National Food Authority has a standing Memorandum of Agreement with relief agencies such as the DSWD, Office of Civil Defense and LGUs for the supply of their rice requirements for relief operations during natural disasters, calamities and other emergencies.



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The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should also implement an employment assistance program for informal workers whose source of income has been cut off due to the enhanced community quarantine prevailing in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, according to Senator Joel Villanueva.

Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development, said informal workers such as drivers of public utility vehicles, vendors, hawkers, and the like, are left without viable alternatives to earn a decent living to provide for their families.

"Sa isang iglap, nawalan po ng kabuhayan ang ating mga vendors, drivers, at iba pa pang manggagawa sa informal sector. Hinihiling natin sa DOLE na kaagad magpatupad ng programa na sasalo sa ating mga informal workers," Villanueva said in a statement. "Hindi po makikipagsapalaran sa paglabas sa kanilang mga tahanan ang ating mga manggagawa kung alam nila na may tulong na ipapamahagi ang pamahalaan para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan."

The lawmaker credited the labor department for swiftly responding to his request on Monday to implement employment assistance programs in light of the community quarantine imposed by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, DOLE released the guidelines covering the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program, which will give displaced workers in the formal economy a P5,000 lump-sum cash assistance.

Villanueva pointed out the amount will go a long way for workers, especially those who fall under the category of no work, no pay, and keep them confined in their homes while the government grapples to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Workers covered by the order include retained workers having reduced working hours due to the implementation of flexible working arrangements by employers, and workers whose employment has been suspended due to the temporary shutdown of their employer's operation, according to the guidelines which the department released on Tuesday afternoon.

Aside from the cash assistance, DOLE will also give affected workers employment facilitation services to match their skills with available domestic or overseas jobs.

Villanueva expressed hope the department would also act on his request to expedite the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) to further cushion the impact of the quarantine among workers.

TUPAD is an emergency employment program implemented in communities for displaced workers, seasonal workers, and even the underemployed. Beneficiaries work for a minimum 10 days but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

The lawmaker suggested to let TUPAD beneficiaries provide support services to law enforcers manning checkpoints "as long as TUPAD beneficiaries are provided personal protective equipment and training." He was also open to the idea of letting TUPAD beneficiaries help in the disinfection of public places, with the caveat that safety gear is available.

In the alternative, the TUPAD beneficiaries may also render work after the community quarantine has been lifted.



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Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the government to place the country under a state of calamity, saying such move would allow concerned agencies to quickly address shortages in critical items needed in the fight against the fast-spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

"The decision is necessary to bolster sweeping relief and emergency efforts to contain the outbreak and at the same time ease the burden of our frontliners and ordinary citizens as we come to grips with this public health crisis," Poe said.

But in the same breath, she urged the government to ensure proper allocation of funds, giving priority to the much-needed equipment of hospitals to serve the growing number of infected patients, the protective gears and food of healthcare workers and other frontliners, and the procurement of testing kits.

The country has so far registered 193 positive cases of the novel coronavirus with 14 fatalities. At least seven patients have recovered from the disease.

"Sang-ayon ako na ilagay ang ating bansa sa state of calamity upang lalong mapaigting ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan kasama ang mga local government units sa lumalalang problema dulot ng COVID-19," said Poe.

"Sa panahong ito, kinakailangan natin ng mas malaking pondo hindi lamang para malabanan at maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit, kundi para mabigyan rin ng karampatang tulong ang ating mga kababayan," she added.



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We commend the growing spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos as the country grapples with this pandemic.

Some are doing it at individual level--providing meals, masks, alcohol and other supplies to their neighbors and to those in need. Others are pooling resources, lending bicycles and offering to drive health workers to their workplace.

Even big corporations are doing their part to bring relief to Filipinos--cutting bill payments, spending money to assist their employees and making valuable donations to our overworked healthcare workers.

This is the Filipino at his best--giving the most to those who have the least. This is the true Filipino bayanihan spirit that has not failed to lift up the country during countless disasters.

We hope these acts of generosity continue as more of our kababayan will be needing assistance during the quarantine period and beyond.

We urge the national government and local government units to support the surge of goodwill by putting in place a system allowing the smooth passage of organizations or individuals engaged in these forms of charitable work.

Lastly, we call on everyone involved in volunteer work to continue protecting themselves and their loved ones from the COVID-19.



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"We call on the AFP and DND to mobilize the AFP Reserve Force, especially colonel-ranked industry leaders in telecommunications and transportation. Their standing in their fields will enable them to mobilize existing networks that can provide logistical support for the emergency response. They can help in providing immediate communications and transport of food supply items and relief goods; personnel including frontline workers in hospitals, supermarkets, and banks; and even returning and departing OFWs.

At the same time, the Reserve Force in the medical services and even waste management can help augment the existing government infrastructure and organizational structures.

With these reservists exempted from the lockdown and under the command of the AFP, the efforts will be more organized and more efficient."



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To further improve the guidelines on food supply that Malacañang announced late last night, we propose that food manufacturers be allowed to mark with their company/brand logos:

1. Shuttle vehicles for transporting their workers to and from their manufacturing plants. Social distancing will be practiced in the vehicles;

2. Vans and delivery trucks of their suppliers (e.g., of tin cans, packaging materials, ingredients, engineering parts for their machines);

3. Their delivery trucks for continued service to sari-sari stores, groceries, supermarkets and distributors.

The best way to counter panic-buying in these times is to show full shelves of food items. We cannot let food shortages happen because we must uphold the people's right to food even or especially under states of calamity and because we have seen their horrible consequences in other countries. We should ensure the people's right to food security and avert any possible food riots with careful planning and reasonable implementation.



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"Declaring a state of calamity is necessary in order to be able to release the P16 billion calamity fund of the national government as well as the use of calamity funds of LGUs. Another P13 billion of the contingency fund can also be tapped.

Dapat lang maging maliwanag at transparent ang gobyerno sa paggamit ng nasabing pondo at unahin ang mga sumusunod:

1. Pondohan ang suporta sa frontline health workers na mabigyan ng sapat na testing kits, mga protective gear;

2. Suporta sa government hospitals na makakuha ng sapat na equipment tulad ng ventilators;

3. Maitatag ang mga isolation wards para sa mga pasyente.

Unahin din ang katiyakan ng food supply sa ating mga tindahan at relief goods at cash assistance lalo na sa mga pinakamahihirap nating mga daily wage earners na walang trabaho at gutom ang hinaharap ngayon.

Willing naman sumunod ang ating mga kababayan kung hindi sila nalilito at alam nila ano ang susundin na patakaran at alam din nila na may maliwanag na ayuda at alalay galing sa gobyerno sa harap ng kalamidad. At huwag na sana madagdagan ang kalamidad ng kalituhan at agam-agam mula sa paiba-ibang mga utos at salungat na mga pahayag ng gobyerno."

News [http://senate]

Monday, April 13

Statement of Senator Joel Villanueva on the lifting of deployment of Filipino overseas healthcare workers with existing employment contracts overseas healthcare workers with existing employment contracts

Bong Go joins ocular of quarantine facilities; urges government to exert all efforts possible to control the spread of COVID-19

Sen. Nancy urges gov't to shoulder cremation costs of COVID-19 deaths

Lacson: On the DOH's 'Adjustments' in Dealing with the COVID-19 Threat

'Bayarin sa cremation, sagutin na sana ng gobyerno' --Sen. Nancy

Imee: Negotiate debt 



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Placing the entire country under a state of calamity is timely and rational, and thus deserves the support of the Filipino people. For one, it will allow the local government units as well as the national government agencies to utilize their calamity funds and Quick Response Fund, in accordance with Republic Act 10121 and other pertinent laws.

Having said that, I cannot imagine that concerned local government officials in charge of dispensing those funds can still have gall and malevolent intention of stealing the monies under their control, considering the seriousness of this unprecedented crisis that we are all facing.

Further, the government, for all its disaster preparedness and response efforts, cannot overcome the threat by itself. We must all do our part, whether as workers rendering frontline services, scientists developing ways to deal with the problem, or responsible Filipinos giving support to them while showing understanding and cooperation with measures from the national government and local government units.

There is no doubt we will survive this, as we have done in so many crises before.



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Amid the ongoing enhanced community quarantine imposed in Luzon to contain the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go appealed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, other concerned agencies and local government units to implement the services directed to provide additional support for senior citizens.

The Senator cited government data indicating that majority of COVID-19 fatalities are elderly. Because of their weak and compromised immune systems, they are more prone to respiratory infections.

"Handa po akong tumulong. Kung ano man po ang mga kailangan gawin o mga proseso na dapat padaliin para maibigay ng DSWD at ng ibang mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang tulong para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng taumbayan, gagawin ko po," he said.

Go, whose priorities include the welfare of one of the most vulnerable sectors in the society, would like the DSWD to implement social welfare and social protection programs and services by prioritizing the provision of the Social Pension for indigent senior citizens, as well as providing Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, distribution of Food and Non-Food Items, and Sustainable Livelihood Programs to vulnerable sectors most affected by the enhanced community quarantine. This is in addition to the sustained provision of food assistance and non-food essentials to the most affected families and individuals.

"Gusto natin na mabigyan ang lahat ng mga Pilipinong apektado ng COVID-19 ng kaukulang atensyon at suporta. Prayoridad dapat rito ang mga senior citizens na alam nating medyo mahina na at siyempre, nahihirapan na silang gumalaw at maghanap ng pagkain," Go said.

"Aminin natin na mahirap para sa kanila ang makakuha ng resources, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na quarantine, bawal ang lumabas nang basta-basta. At sila pa ang isa sa mga taong mabilis mahawaan ng sakit na ito (COVID-19)," the Senator added.

Go reiterated the government advisory released on Wednesday that those who are most vulnerable, particularly seniors (60 years old and above), those with pre-existing medical condition, like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, COPD, cancer and others, as well as pregnant women should not go out of their homes.

The monthly Social Pension amounts to P500 per indigent senior citizen to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs. Considered as indigent senior citizens are those who are frail, sickly or with disability and without pension or permanent source of income of regular support from their relatives to meet their basic needs.

The AICS is an integrated services program of DSWD to individuals and families in crises or difficult situations. This program should be used to provide financial assistance to affected families. FNI includes distribution of food packs and non-food essentials, such as toiletries.

Meanwhile, the SLP is a capability-building program for the poor, vulnerable and marginalized households and communities. It is intended to help improve their socio-economic condition through livelihood assistance. Through the SLP, Livelihood Assistance Grants may be distributed to recipients after the quarantine period as a way to cope with economic losses of affected families.

Go also identified some of the other vulnerable sectors that should also be prioritized in the provision of necessary assistance to affected Filipinos such as solo parents, indigent indigenous peoples, Transportation Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) and Transport Network Companies (TNC) drivers, and informal economy workers.

In order to avoid difficulties in the distribution of the relief assistance, given the travel restrictions imposed in Luzon and other areas in the country, Go is calling for door-to-door delivery of government aid, including the social pension for the indigent senior citizens. DSWD should be assisted by LGUs since the latter have the necessary database, according to the Senator.

"Siguraduhin nating maihatid sa kani-kanilang mga pamamahay ng mga vulnerable groups ang tulong mula sa gobyerno sa mga panahong ito. Huwag na nating hayaan na ma-expose pa sila sa sakit. Kung kinakailangan, gawing door-to-door ang paghahatid ng ayuda. Magmalasakit tayo sa ating mga mamamayan, lalo na ang mga mahihirap. Pera naman ito ng mga Pilipino. Huwag na natin silang pahirapan pa," Go emphasized.

"Isaalang alang natin na sa kabila ng mga travel restrictions, ayaw naman nating mahawaan ng sakit ang mga matatanda natin. Dapat maghanap ng paraan ang DSWD kung paano ma-download kaagad sa mga respective LGUs ang pondo para sa Social Pension upang mas mabilis matanggap ng mga nangangailangan. Maaaring tumulong ang mga barangay officials sa DSWD sa distribution ng Social Pension," Go appeals.

In previous statements, Go has emphasized the need to give more focus to the senior citizens in the country.

"Malungkot isipin na isa sa bawat tatlong matatanda sa Pilipinas ay nahihirapang tugunan ang kanilang araw-araw na mga pangangailangan," Go said.

Go also called on the government to also strengthen the implementation of Republic Act No. 9994 or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010." Aside from the usual benefits of the senior citizens, indigent senior citizens are also "entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to five hundred pesos (P500) to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs, in consultation with the DSWD."

In addition, senior citizens are also entitled to free medical and dental services and diagnostic and laboratory tests. The law also provides that "the Department of Health shall also administer free vaccination against the influenza virus and pneumococcal disease for indigent senior citizen patients."

Senior citizens can also benefit from special discounts on basic commodities. It is subject to the guidelines set by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture.

"Ang mga senior citizens sa bansa ang isa sa pinaka-bulnerableng sektor. Dapat lamang na bigyan natin sila ng tuon at tulungan din natin sila para sabay-sabay tayong babangon. Walang dapat maiwan lalo na sa panahon ngayon ng health crisis sa bansa," Go said.

"Now more than ever, we should do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people. The government as a whole should still do its job in a manner that will not put the health of others at risk. Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang tulong sa kapwa Pilipino, tuloy-tuloy dapat ang serbisyo," Go added.



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As Metro Manila braces for possible water interruption during the summer season, Senator Win Gatchalian warns that insufficient water supply could threaten efforts in containing or curbing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Gatchalian urges water concessionaires to ensure uninterrupted water supply in households, hospitals and medical facilities where confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated, adding that water is fundamental in ensuring treatment, hygiene, and sanitation especially in the wake of such disease outbreaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) had said that the most effective way to protect oneself against the coronavirus is by frequently cleaning the hands and washing them with soap and water. By doing this, one can eliminate the virus that may be on one's hands and avoid infection that could occur by touching the eyes, mouth, and nose.

Filipinos are at particular risk from the water shortage, particularly those with compromised immune systems and the heightened possibility of an uptick in respiratory illnesses, making the people more vulnerable to COVID-19.

"We cannot compromise the health of the people. Water is fundamental in ensuring hygiene and sanitation, infection control, and prevention measures that is why we cannot afford water shortage at this critical time", says Gatchalian.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) had earlier announced that service interruptions will be implemented in some areas in Metro Manila in the coming weeks. Angat Dam supplies 96 percent of Metro Manila's water requirement. As of March 13, 2020, the water elevation of Angat dam was 200.41 meters, 11.59 meters below the dam's normal high water level of 212 meters.

The NWRB has allowed the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to use its existing deepwells to augment water supply for the two concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad. Gatchalian asked the NWRB to make true its commitment of aggressively monitoring water shortage in Metro Manila.



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3/18/20

To City Mayors,

Who respond with focused dispatch to the threat of COVID-19:

By laying out proper medical plan and strengthened medical response to prevent virus transmission and fatalities, one such example is Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro;

By boosting the morale of your health frontliners in the form of PPEs, nutritious food, and installing a working mechanism for tight coordination, like Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto;

By ensuring that the food supply within your City is sufficient and the prices are right based on your city action plan, as shown by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno;

By taking care of the food and hygiene needs--like you usually provide them during Christmas season--of your labor force (no-work, no-pay daily earners and vendors), the underprivileged and homeless, who need your kind social services and assistance now more than ever, what Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is doing;

By being vigorous yet parental in handling the people in quarantine enforcement and checkpoints to ensure their human rights and dignity as the example of Muntinlupa Mayor Jimmy Fresnedi;

By being a moral force, exuding a sober yet gentle presence that can ease the fear and trepidations of the public, as exhibited by San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

To all of you, in behalf of the Filipinos who need leaders in this time of national emergency, I convey my sincere gratitude for showing us examples, relieving our fears, and providing us guidance and inspiration.

With much respect and esteem,

Sen. Leila

(Access the handwritten copy of Dispatch from Crame No. 741, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_no._741)



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima remains hopeful that the Filipino people can withstand the challenges posed by the continuing threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) gripping many countries around the world, including the Philippines.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said she has great faith in the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people to surpass the threat of COVID-19 despite the rise of death and confirmed infected cases.

"We are in extraordinary times, but as always, we Filipinos will time and again prove that we are a resilient people, and that we can withstand any challenge," she said in her recent Dispatch from Crame 737.

"Yes, COVID-19 presents a real danger to us all, and we can only survive it if and when we prove that our humanity is stronger than the pandemic and our care for each other spreads faster than the virus," she added.

Last March 15, the government has placed the whole of NCR under what it referred to as "community quarantine" to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections among workers and residents, especially among poor communities.

Although the Duterte administration has set the period of "community quarantine" until April 14, it was not sure how long it can contain the infections not only in Metro Manila but also in some parts of the country where there are confirmed infected cases.

To date, local health authorities have reported a surge of COVID 19 infections across the country, with at least 14 people who have already died while 187 others are confirmed to have contracted infection.

Although she is not fully convinced that a "community quarantine" - or some others referred to as "lockdown," is the solution, the lady Senator from Bicol pointed out that the Filipino public should cooperate with the health authorities' stringent measures to combat COVID-19.

"Bagamat hindi ako ganap na kumbinsido na ito ang nararapat na lunas, wala naman siguro tayong magawa ngayon kundi sundin ito at umasa na ang hakbang na ito ay maging mabisa at matagumpay," she said.

She, however, urged the government and the private sector to extend assistance to all Filipino families, especially to the daily wage workers and the poor who will surely bear the brunt of the "community quarantine" imposed for at least a month.

"Siguraduhin na makatwiran at makatarungan ang mga hakbang at gawing matiwasay at walang pagmamalabis sa pagpapatupad ng mga ito. Tiyakin na walang karapatang pantao ang malalabag," she said.

"Dapat maging mas handa, mas madalas, mas maayos at tama ang paghahatid ng impormasyon para maiwasan ang kalituhan, dagdag na pangamba, at pagkalat ng mga maling balita. Isaalang-alang ang karapatang pantao ng bawat isa lalo na ang mga manggagawa at huwag idaan sa pananakot at karahasan ang pagpapasunod sa mga patakaran," she added.

De Lima also urged the Duterte administration to get its act together and act fast to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections to other communities across the country.

"Malinaw na nagpabaya noong una ang pamahalaan sa hindi kaagad pagpapatupad ng entry ban at quarantine sa mga galing Tsina. Bakit? Takot na magdamdam o magalit ang pinuno ng Tsina. May oras ang pagpapanagot," she said.

"Nandyan na ang krisis sa biglaang paglobo ng numero sa mga positibo sa virus at may mga namamatay na ngang mga kababayan natin. Harapin natin ito nang buong pag-asa, tapang at dangal," she added.

De Lima, along with the members of the minority bloc in the Senate, have called for a special session to pass a supplemental budget to address the lack of resources needed to contain the coronavirus in the country.



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Ang daming nagsusumbong sa atin: Wala raw mga nurses sa ilang ospital. Nagsasarado na raw ang ibang ospital dahil walang health workers na nakapasok dahil walang sariling kotse. Ang dami pa ring stranded sa kalye na mga trabahante sa palengke, grocery, botika, gas stations, tanggapan ng gobyerno at iba pang vital establishments.

Lalo na sa ating mga health workers na walang mga sariling kotse, buwis-buhay na sila sa ospital, buwis-buhay pa papunta at pauwi mula sa trabaho. Kung walang health workers, sino pa ang mag-aalaga sa mga maysakit? Lalala ang krisis.

Dahil sa lockdown sa public transport, government must provide transport services to health, food, sanitation (garbage collectors and laundromats), and other frontline workers!

Bigyan ng mas konti pang pagpaplano ang pagtugon sa krisis na dala ng COVID virus. We do not want to create crises on top of an existing crisis.



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"Given the 'enhanced community quarantine' in Luzon, we urge Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to extend the deadline for the filing of income tax returns.

The Tax Code gives the BIR Commissioner, who is under the Department of Finance, the power to extend the period for filing returns in 'meritorious cases' (Section 53 of the Tax Code).

In effect, kung ma-extend ang time period for filing, walang ma-i-impose na penalty, basta ma-file within the extended period.

We request for at least a month-long or longer extension for the filing of income tax returns because the accountants who prepare the returns cannot report for work as 1. they are not considered employees of essential/vital industries; 2. the finance and accounting documents are in their respective offices; 3. they would not have enough time to examine the documents from April 12, when the quarantine is lifted, and April 15, the deadline for the filing of tax returns."



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The order placing Luzon, including Metro Manila, under enhanced community quarantine in an effort to contain COVID-19 should be complemented by intensified delivery of goods and services especially to poor families in need of food, clean water, medicine and other essential supplies.

This should not be hard with adequate produce of rice, vegetables, and other agricultural products by Filipino farmers. Otherwise they will go to waste and rot away due to the lockdown.

The Sagip Saka Law mandates all government entities to directly purchase agricultural and fisheries products from local farmers and fisherfolk enterprises.

For supplies for its feeding programs such as rice, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products, local government units, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and other concerned agencies, may directly deal with farmers and fisherfolk, eliminating middlemen who usually pad prices.



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Dahil sa lockdown sa transport, wala ring masakyan ang mga nagtatrabaho sa ospital, palengke, grocery, pharmacies, gas stations, at iba pang vital establishments. Magtalaga ng mga bibiyahe sa kanila para magampanan ang trabaho.

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President Rodrigo Duterte enjoined all Filipinos to cooperate in the government's fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as he addressed the nation on Monday, March 16.

"Lahat po tayo ay sundalo sa digmaang ito," Duterte said in a televised speech after a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) at the Malacañan Palace. Also in attendance during the meeting was Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

"Our countrymen are our most potent weapons in this war against COVID-19," the President added.

The President has announced that he had placed the entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine and stringent social distancing measures shall be implemented. Parts of the guidelines state that "strict home quarantine shall be observed in all households; movement shall be limited to accessing basic necessities; provision for food and essential health services shall be regulated; and there will be heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures."

Also in his statement, Duterte echoed the appeal of Senator Go for the private sector and businesses to help ease the burden borne by their workers and employees as a result of this health crisis.

The night before the President addressed the nation, Go already urged business leaders to help workers and small-time traders by recommending the following measures that the private sector may consider:

- Release of 13th Month Pay - Moratorium on rental fees for lessors and tenants
- One month reprieve on bills payment for basic utility providers
- Aid to small and medium scale enterprises, from big businesses
- Impose work from home arrangement/flexible work schedule
- Limit travel for workers

After the President ordered the enhanced community quarantine for the whole of Luzon in his speech, he then emphasized Go's appeal to the private sector.

"'Yun sanang malalaking enterprises dito, maybe you can consider paying the 13th month pay or just paying them maski kalahati sa sweldo nila as a way of showing your solidarity with the Filipino at this critical time," Duterte said.

The President also asked that renters and tenants be given some leeway in the payment of rent and for service providers to provide a one-month extension for the payment of bills.

"Gawan natin ng paraan na mabawasan ng gastusin ang ating mga kababayan," Duterte said.

"I urge our business leaders to find ways to help small businesses and ease the burden which is felt by the ordinary citizens," he added.

Assuring the public that there will be no hunger during the quarantine period, Duterte also guaranteed that there is enough supply of food in the country.

Aside from assurances from the Department of Agriculture that the country has enough food supply, the President also mentioned during the IATF-EID meeting that San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang relayed a message to him that the company will help ensure sufficient supply of food and basic necessities while the government addresses the COVID-19 situation.

President Duterte asked Senator Bong Go to read the message from Ang during the IATF-EID meeting and after the message was read, the President expressed his gratitude for the support given by Ang as well as other private companies and business leaders who have signified intent to help.

Senator Go, for his part, earlier appealed to the private sector, the industry players, business leaders, foundations and the like, to join hands and combine efforts in helping the Filipino people overcome the threats of the COVID-19 crisis. He emphasized that a whole-of-society approach is needed to contain the disease.

The Senator also thanked those who have already expressed willingness to bolster government efforts through various forms of donations.

"Meron ng mga nagpahayag ng kanilang intensyong tumulong sa ngayon, katulad ng mga alcoholic drinks manufacturers na may malakihang donasyon ng denatured alcohol para magamit ng ating mga ospital, mga kumpanya ng langis na magtatabi ng P1-2 kada litrong nabebenta at mga casino na magtatatag ng kani-kanilang mga foundations upang makalikom ng pondong itutulong sa ating mga kababayan," Go said.

"Taus puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Hinihikayat ko din ang ibang merong malasakit sa kapwa na mag-ambag ng tulong para sa ating mga mamamayan," he added.

Encouraging optimism amid the ongoing public health situation, Go called for unity and bayanihan in fighting the spread of the virus.

"Marami na tayong napagdaanan na mga delubyo at trahedya subalit dahil sa ating pagkakaisa, pagdadamayan at pagmamalasakit sa isa't isa, nalampasan natin ang mga ito," Go said.

"Ngayon, muli na namang sinusubok ng sakit na ito ang katatagan ng ating pagiging Pilipino. Magkaisa at magbayanihan po tayo," he ended.



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Q: Magandang umaga po Senador!

SEN WIN: Good morning Igan, good morning sa ating mga listeners at viewers.

SENADO

Q: Kamusta na po at ano reaksyon niyo nung nabalitaa niyo yung nangyari kay Senator Migz Zubiri?

SEN WIN: Unang-una ako'y ok naman at sinusundan lang natin yung protocol na mag-quarantine ng 14 days o antayin ang test results pag negative at nakakabahala nga dahil si Senator Migz ang isa sa pinaka maingat namin na Senador. Siya ang may dahilan kung bakit kami nagkaroon ng mahigpit na patakaran sa loob ng Senado noong lumabas itong covid virus kaya kami ay nagulat dahil siya yung pinaka maingatat. Alam na alam niya kung ano yung gagawin pero ganunpaman Igan, makikita natin na walang pinaplamapas itong virus na ito kahit magingat. Kahit na na meron tayong mga measures sa isang building eh nakakalampas pa rin kaya mahalaga na nagpatupad na tayo ng isang lockdown or enhanced community quarantine ngayong araw na ito.

Q: Bilang kabahagi ng Senado ano ang latest sa balita sa mga empleyado, lockdown kayo, hanggang kelan yan Senador?

SEN WIN: Susundin namin yung patakaran na inilahad ng ating Pangulo hanggang April 12. So ngayon po naka lockdown yung building until April 12 at hindi po papayagan magkaroon ng hearing o iba pang mga aktibidad sa loob ng Senado. At ganun din po Igan, ako'y nananawagan sa ating mga negosyante na sumunod ho sa lockdown na ito dahil marami pa rin mga negosyo pinapapasok yung kanilang mga empleyado. Yun po ang pinaka delikado dahil sa pagsasalamuha sa iba't-ibang kasakay nila o transportasyon, malaking tsansa na mahawaan sila.

VALENZUELA FOOD RELIEF

Q: Sa ngayon ano ba yung balita niyo sa kapatid niyo sa Valenzuela? Nagkakaroon ho ba kayo ng palitan ng mga hakbang na isasagawa?

SEN WIN: Correct, siya ay negative sa kanyang test results kaya kaagad nag inspection na siya sa mga border doon po sa mga outpost at ngayon araw na ito andun po samin ay naguusap kami, mag papakain po kami ng mahigit 12,000 families at mag ha-house to house po tayo ng pagkain once a week for then next four weeks. Kaya po doon sa kababayan namin sa Valenzuela sa hindi makakapasok, wag sila magalala dahil ang pamahalaan ay pupunta po sa kanila para maghatid po ng pagkain.

Q: May mga mungkahi bukod sa ibigay na kaagad yung 13th month pay, san apo may economic package na isusulong ang gobyerno dahil di biro ang isang buwan na walang trabaho Senator?

TRABAHO AT MGA NEGOSYANTE

SEN WIN: Tama, pero meron akong dalawang mungkahi no, una, yung mga nawalan ng trabaho dapat po mabigyan ng subsidiya, ito yung mga unemployment subsidy para po sila ay meron naman pong mauwi para sa kanilang pamilya. Pangalawa, wag natin kalimutan dito ang mga negosyante dahil itong mga negosyante kahit walang silang kita eh nagpapa sweldo kaya mungkahi natin isang loan package fund sa mga negosyante natin, lalo na yung mga maliliit para yung loan na yun magagamit sa pang sweldo sa kanilang mga empleyado.

Q: Ulitin ko lang po yung gagawin niyong pagpapakain ni Mayor, saan po pupunta kayo ba ay mag babahay-bahay, saang lugar ang pupuntahan sa Valenzuela?

SEN WIN: Na-identify ho namin yung pinaka mahirap namin yung 12,000 families ho yun. Wag silang lumabas ng bahay, wag silang lumabas ng tahanan at pumunta sa barangay. Ang barangay po at lokal na pamahalaan ang pupunta sa kanila. Ang ayaw natin maghalubilo ho at pumunta sa sa barangay at mag kumpol-kumpol doon, yun nga iniiwasan natin kaya kami po ang pupunta sa kanila.

Q: Senator maraming salamat sa oras, ingat ho kayo.

SEN WIN: Maraming salamat Igan.



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After submitting myself to a COVID-19 test last Friday, I'm happy to hear from the pronouncements made by Health Secretary Francisco Duque over DZMM Teleradyo just this morning that I tested negative for the disease. Thus, I'm ending my self-quarantine.

Having surpassed this, rest assured that my office will continue to function pursuant to the guidelines and protocols set on an enhanced community quarantine.

There's a lot of work to be done especially in the middle of this crisis while the number of infected cases continues to rise. We must pool our resources together to fight this dreaded virus.

Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat na sumunod sa mga panuntunan na inilatag ng ating gobyerno para hindi na lumobo ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the team of the Department of Health who facilitated the test.



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Now that the country is in the midst of a deadly public health crisis, it is a shared responsibility of both public and private sectors to ensure the survival of disadvantaged communities, including daily wage earners.

This is Senator Win Gatchalian's clarion call to the private sector following the declaration of an "enhanced community quarantine" in Luzon over the coronavirus pandemic, which threatens the survival of daily wage earners and members of the poor and disadvantaged communities.

The directives from the Palace calls for strict quarantine in all households, cessation of work, and regulation of food provision and essential health services.

One concern that Gatchalian raised is the adequacy of food supply. While all local government units are expected to supply food to daily wage earners in their respective localities for the next 30 days, Gatchalian said that government resources will not be enough to feed these workers in the long term, especially in the case of a prolonged enhanced community quarantine. According to Gatchalian, this is where the private sector should step in, especially large companies, to complement efforts and resources by the government to ensure these workers' survival.

"Ano ba ang mas gusto natin, tulungang mabigyan ng pagkain ang mga tao ngayon at iba pa nilang pangangailangan o mas madaming pasyente ang gagamutin natin in the next 6 months", asked Gatchalian.

According to Gatchalian, existing partnerships between private firms and government agencies should be leveraged in achieving this goal such as the companies' programs on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Since these programs are already established, Gatchalian said that they provide readily available channels, including community partnerships, which will allow more efficient distribution of aid.

"This is the best opportunity to relive the spirit of bayanihan. I urge the private sector, especially those large companies, to help provide food and other necessities to our fellow Filipinos", Gatchalian added.

The lawmaker called on private firms to uphold workers' welfare by implementing more humanitarian policies. Aside from the implementation of policies like remote work scheme, Gatchalian also called for the suspension of the no-work, no-pay policy to help keep daily wage earners afloat while they are unable to render service.

For those who are in the informal economy, Gatchalian eyes the provision of unemployment financial assistance. According to Gatchalian, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should identify potential beneficiaries of this financial assistance scheme.

To date, COVID-19 has already infected 142 and killed 12 in the Philippines. Globally, data from the World Health Organization shows that the number of confirmed cases has exceeded the 150,000 mark.



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3/17/20

DSWD's role in the ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine is underwhelming, if not downright disappointing.

As soon as we learned that community quarantine is the only way to arrest the spread of COVID-19, we already know that the poor, who depend on their daily toil for their sustenance, will be most affected. DSWD should have made sure that programs to ensure that our countrymen will not go hungry are implemented in spite of the quarantine.

The fact that only vague guarantees are given to our people, who are looking to our President for clear assurances, is disconcerting.

Hindi sapat na sabihin na "WALA KAYONG MALASAKIT" para ipadama sa inyo ang kakulangan ng kongkretong programa mula sa DSWD sa panahon ng quarantine.

Ang desisyon ng DSWD na suspindihin ang mga programang panlipunan nito gaya ng 4Ps para pangalagaan ang pinaka-apektado ng COVID-19 pandemic ay nagpapakita ng kawalang malasakit ng administrasyon sa mahihirap nating mga kababayan. Gutom kung gutom, patay kung patay - at wala silang pakialam; tunay na pinakamalaking pag-yurak sa kanilang estado sa lipunan at pag-balewala sa mandato ng gobyerno at DSWD.

The scenes in the checkpoints and public transport stations last Monday should serve as a sobering reminder that many of our countrymen would sooner risk their lives against COVID-19 rather than fail to provide for their families. Our government, under the principle of parens patriae, should ensure that we will provide for those who will not be able to provide for themselves during this time of crisis.

When disaster strikes, the government stands as the only refuge of the lowliest members of society. I implore the DSWD to use this mindset and think of innovative ways to continue with, and even expand, our social welfare programs. "Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo"- be true to the agency's core values, Mr. Secretary. Ibigay na kaagad ng gobyerno ang ayuda ng social protection programs.

Our DSWD officials must stand together with their counterparts from DOH, DILG, DTI, PNP and AFP, to ensure that everyone is taken care of while in Enhanced Community Quarantine. Now is the time for Filipino heroes. DSWD is not an exception.

The poor and the marginalized sectors need government assistance, NOW MORE THAN EVER. Ibigay natin ito nang maagap, buong puso at walang anumang pag-aalinlangan.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called on the government to prioritize the safety of Filipino elderly who are at the highest risk of contracting the dreaded coronavirus (COVID 19) and cushion the impact of the "community quarantine" to them.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said health authorities should give extra attention to elderly people who are among the most vulnerable to acquire the coronavirus infection.

"In this time of the national public health crisis, our government should extend immediate and necessary protection and assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of our society, especially among the poor and elderly people," she said.

"Our elderly parents are very much susceptible to all kinds of illnesses as they grow in age. Let us therefore exert earnest efforts to take care of them and shield them against any infection from the coronavirus," she added.

Of the 12 cases of death, thus far, due to coronavirus infection, seven of them are senior citizens or nearing the age of 60. The oldest fatality is an 88-year-old woman who had pre-existing hypertension and had died of acute respiratory failure, secondary to coronavirus.

The lady Senator from Bicol also asked the government to cushion the health, social and economic impacts of the month-long community quarantine imposed to elderly people, especially among their respective families who tend to their needs.

"As our country pays homage to our beloved grandparents this week, let us concretize our gratitude to them by keeping them safer from the adverse impact of the ongoing community quarantine," she said

"Isa nga pong napakahalagang bahagi ng ating lipunan ang sektor ng mga nakatatanda bilang silang mga humubog at nangalaga sa lipunang ginagalawan natin sa kasalukuyan. Kaya naman tungkulin po ng bawat isa na protektahan at itaguyod ang kanilang mga kapakanan," she added.

It may be recalled that De Lima has sponsored and co-authored Republic Act No. 11350 which was passed into law last year. The law creates the National Commission of Senior Citizens dedicated in promoting the rights and welfare of our senior citizens.

Last month, she also pushed for the immediate approval of Senate Bill (SB) 1319 seeking to grant senior citizens additional cash gifts of PhP10,000 when they reach the ages of 80 and 90, aside from the PhP100,000 they will receive on their 100th birthday.

"Buo ang suporta ko sa mga polisiya at programa na nilalabanan ang anumang diskriminasyon batay sa edad at kumikilala sa kakayahan ng bawat indibidwal na makaambag sa pag-unlad ng pamilya at ng bansa," she said.

"Ang hangad po natin: Patuloy na bigyang-lakas at ikarangal ang mga nakatatanda sa pagsigurong napagkakalooban sila ng libre o abot-kayang serbisyong medikal, sapat na pagkain, maayos na tirahan, at higit sa lahat, respeto," she added.



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has appealed for the unhindered access of Filipinos to vital services and utilities as the country weathers through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has paralyzed daily operations in Metro Manila.

De Lima said the government should carefully balance the necessity, work, and health circumstances of the Filipino people with the month-long imposition of restrictions of movement to contain the growing outbreak of the coronavirus across the country.

"Kailangan po nating pagtuunan ng pansin, hindi lang ang mga apektado na ng sakit, kundi pati na ang mga kababayan nating mas nangangailangan at matagal nang pinagkakaitan ng maayos na serbisyo," she said in her Dispatch from Crame 732.

"Silang laging nakikipagsapalaran sa hirap at mas humaharap sa banta ng pagkakasakit�ang mga araw-araw na binubuno ang pagsisiksikan sa MRT at LRT; ang mga contractual workers na sa kabila ng peligrong dala ng bagyo, lindol, malalang sakit o delubyo ay papasok pa rin para may masweldo; ang maghapon-magdamag na kumakayod at nagpapagod sa trabaho pero kapos pa rin ang inihahaing pagkain para sa pamilya," she added.

To date, health authorities have reported that 12 individuals have died due to coronavirus infection while 142 others have reportedly confirmed to be infected. Millions of workers, however, struggle to attend to their daily occupations despite the grave threat to their health and safety of contracting the deadly virus.

On the second day of the community quarantine last March 16, many commuters had difficulty catching rides within Metro Manila as part of the government-imposed preventive measure to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

Some commuters noted that there are less public transportation vehicles on the road as authorities have implemented "social distancing" measures that limited the number of passengers per jeepney, bus and coaches of the metrorail transits.

The lady Senator from Bicol also pointed out that Filipino public, especially among workers, deserve clear-cut guidelines that are clearly and properly communicated to them by authorities to avoid public panic and anxiety.

"During times of crisis, our government should ensure that access to reliable public utilities and vital services remain unhindered. All should have access to right information, healthy food, clean supply of water, among others, to enable us to survive the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic," she said.

"We need a government and a leader who can serve assiduously and communicate clearly. Let's stop foolish bravado, nonsensical jokes and hysteria, and provide clear guidance and direction to contain the further spread of the virus and its grave impact to our lives and economy," she emphasized.

De Lima, who chairs the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development in the Senate, encouraged everyone to think not only for their own welfare and safety but also of others, especially among those who are most vulnerable.

"Hindi rin po matatapos ang epidemya kung sarili at kapamilya lamang ang sinisikap nating maisalba. Lalong kakalat ang sakit kung magpapanic at kung uunahin ang pagka-makasarili," she pleaded.

"Ngayon, higit kailanman, tinatawagan tayong magkaisa, mag-ingat, magmalasakit, magdasal," she added.

Last March 13, the four-member minority bloc in the Senate has sought for immediate clarifications about the implementation of the "community quarantine," including steps to ensure the ingress of food and other necessities.

It also called for appropriate and immediate measures to stabilize the economy amid the paralysis of public and private offices and the safety of police and military personnel, and health workers manning checkpoints around the metro, among others.

De Lima has also joined urgent calls for a special session to pass a supplemental budget to address the obvious lack of resources needed to contain the coronavirus across the country.



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"Aside from COVID-19, hunger will be a re-emerging threat kung walang stable logistical infrastructure and humanitarian system na nakalatag for the next 14 to 30 days."

Sen. Nancy Binay expressed concern how families without enough means would be able to survive by just waiting for dole outs from government and kind-hearted individuals.

"Para doon sa mga pamilyang walang pambili, baka pwede munang ipamigay ng NFA ang kanilang mga bigas sa bodega nila. Kung may mga food packs pa ang DSWD, ipamigay na din muna nila. Importanteng maitawid muna natin kahit 14 days lang ang mga pamilyang direktang naapektuhan ng lockdown--saka na lang natin i-assess at i-fine tune ang system kung kinakailangan," Binay pointed out.



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This morning, Department of Health Secretary Franciso Duque III confirmed that I have been TESTED NEGATIVE for COVID-19.

I'm taking this opportunity to thank everyone for their encouraging messages; and the outpouring of support, love, and prayers.

I will still continue with my 14-day quarantine. Hindi pa po tapos ang laban natin kontra sa COVID-19, and we don't want to have a false sense of security, kung kaya hinihikayat pa rin natin ang lahat na huwag na munang lumabas sa kanilang mga bahay, mag practice ng social distancing, at ugaliing maghugas ng kamay for 20 seconds.

COVID-19 is a serious matter. Let's take the necessary precautions in protecting ourselves for the sake of our families and everyone else.

Muli, maraming salamat po sa inyong mga dasal. With God's grace, we will all get through these dire times.



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Senator Joel Villanueva has appealed to the private sector to help alleviate concerns of workers across all industries and sectors who are equally affected by community quarantines imposed in different areas to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, Villanueva said the government has been pulling all stops to cover the needs of its workers from regular, plantilla employees down to contractual workers whom the lawmaker described as the most vulnerable in the crisis because of the no work, no pay policy.

"Our government is doing everything in its power to cushion the impact of the quarantine to all its workers. We hope our private sector partners do the same, especially for their daily paid workers who are the most vulnerable in this crisis because of the no work, no pay policy," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development. "We commit ourselves to provide any kind of assistance to our affected workers in the private sector."

"Our workers need all the help they can get to weather the crisis we are facing now. We call on the private sector to also devise ways for its workers to have financial assistance while the community quarantine is ongoing in different parts of the country," he continued.

On Monday, Villanueva wrote to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to call for accessing the Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) and implementing a modified Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD), two safety net programs for workers in the private sector.

A program that provides a package of assistance and other forms of intervention to assist distressed workers and companies in coping with economic and social disruptions, AMP was tapped by the labor department to help workers in Boracay affected by its rehabilitation in 2018. The same program was also used in 2016 for displaced education workers as the country transitioned to the K-12 curriculum.

TUPAD is an emergency employment program implemented in communities for displaced workers, seasonal workers, and even the underemployed. Beneficiaries work for a minimum 10 days but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed. Villanueva calls on the DOLE to delay the requirement of rendering of service of TUPAD beneficiaries until after the community quarantine has been lifted.

Accessing these programs will help displaced workers last the impact of the community quarantine imposed in different areas expected to last until April 14, explained Villanueva.

"While some businesses implement a skeletal staff to be in place, earnings of daily-paid workers will still considerably shrink, and it may not be enough to cover their basic needs," the lawmaker said. "These programs of the labor department will help workers, especially those working in establishments ordered shut during the quarantine period and the workers in the informal economy."

In Metro Manila, local governments sought a temporary shutdown of malls and other public establishments, except those deemed essential such as supermarkets, groceries, and pharmacies, among others.

Earlier, Villanueva proposed for the continued pay of contractual workers in government so that they could still receive salaries while on telecommute or on skeletal staff. Both the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Audit are meeting on Monday to finalize the resolution.

Villanueva also credited firms such as banks and a number of public utilities who have extended grace periods for payments on their loans and postpaid services like mobile phones and the Internet. He likewise made a similar call to government lenders such as the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System and the Pag-IBIG fund to extend the period of payment, as well as waive interest and penalties for late payments.

He also extended an appeal to mall operators and property owners to give discounts to lessees and waive rentals, if possible, "so business owners can continue to pay their workers especially and even when malls are closed."

"We appeal to their good sense of bayanihan. One good deed goes a long, long way in these trying times. We can overcome this crisis together, better and stronger, because we are Filipinos. We are a resilient people," Villanueva said.



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Senator Joel Villanueva has appealed to the private sector to help alleviate concerns of workers across all industries and sectors who are equally affected by community quarantines imposed in different areas to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, Villanueva said the government has been pulling all stops to cover the needs of its workers from regular, plantilla employees down to contractual workers whom the lawmaker described as the most vulnerable in the crisis because of the no work, no pay policy.

"Our government is doing everything in its power to cushion impact of quarantine to all its workers. We hope our private sector partners do the same, especially for their daily paid workers who are the most vulnerable in this crisis because of the no work, no pay policy," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development. "We commit ourselves to provide any kind of assistance to our affected workers in the private sector."

"Our workers need all the help they can get to weather the crisis we are facing now. We trust that our private sector will devise ways for its workers to continue earning a living for their respective families affected by the community quarantines being imposed in different parts of the country," he continued.

On Monday, Villanueva wrote to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to call for accessing the Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) and implementing the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD), two safety net programs for workers in the private sector.

A program that provides a package of assistance and other forms of intervention to assist distressed workers and companies in coping with economic and social disruptions, AMP was tapped by the labor department to help workers in Boracay affected by its rehabilitation in 2018. The same program was also used in 2016 for displaced education workers as the country transitioned to the K-12 curriculum.

TUPAD is an emergency employment program implemented in communities for displaced workers, seasonal workers, and even the underemployed. Beneficiaries work for a minimum 10 days but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed.

Accessing these programs will help displaced workers last the impact of the community quarantine imposed in different areas expected to last until April 14, explained Villanueva.

"While some businesses implement a skeletal staff to be in place, earnings of daily-paid workers will still considerably shrink, and it may not be enough to cover their basic needs," the lawmaker said. "These programs of the labor department will help workers especially those whose jobs are at establishments ordered shut during the quarantine period."

In Metro Manila, local governments sought a temporary shutdown of malls and other public establishments, except those deemed essential such as supermarkets, groceries, and pharmacies, among others.

Earlier, Villanueva proposed for the continued pay of contractual workers in government so that they could still receive salaries while on telecommute or on skeletal staff. Both the Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Audit are meeting on Monday to finalize the resolution.

Villanueva also credited firms such as banks and a number of public utilities who have extended grace periods for payments on their loans and postpaid services like mobile phones and the Internet. He likewise made a similar call to government lenders such as the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System and the Pag-IBIG fund to waive interest and penalties for late payments.

He extended an appeal to mall operators and property owners to extend discounts and waive rentals "so business owners can continue to pay their workers especially and even when malls close."

"We appeal to their good sense of bayanihan. One good deed goes a long, long way in these trying times. We can overcome this crisis together, better and stronger, because we are Filipinos. We are a resilient people," Villanueva said.



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Sen. Grace Poe has commended the first wave of corporations who urgently heeded the call for payment extensions during the community lockdown.

Poe, as chair of the Senate committee on public services, recognized certain crucial private sector entities for being among the first to adjust to the needs of their consumers and guarantee continued service.

"The assurance of Globe, Smart PLDT, Skycable, and GSIS of their continued service despite the moratorium shows their commitment to public service."

Poe likewise urged other corporations and financial institutions to follow suit, "It is my hope that others will implement a modified payment scheme during this period."

Recognizing the public health crisis brought about by COVID-19, Poe previously appealed to corporations, banks, and private and government financial institutions to implement a moratorium on the imposition of penalties or similar charges on delayed payment of bills, utilities, and other obligations.



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In the spirit of unity, Sen. Grace Poe on Monday extended her heartfelt thanks to the scientists over at UP National Institutes of Health who developed the low-cost COVID-19 test kit.

"Every Filipino should do what they can in their own way. Thanks to the newly developed local kits, costs will be reduced from P8,500 to P1,320."

The waiting time for results will also be cut down from 24 hours to just 2 hours per test.

Senator Poe went on to thank frontline health workers as well, "We also commend and support our health workers at the frontlines of fighting this pandemic."

Senator Poe also called on the inter-agency task force to support the frontline health workers by allocating more funds for the Personal Protective Equipment in the partner hospitals where the test kits will be validated.

Senator Poe ended by reminding Filipinos to focus on working together during this crisis saying, "We Filipinos can accomplish anything when we work together."



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Kaninang umaga, sa unang work day ng Metro Manila lockdown, libo-libong pasahero ng MRT, bus, at jeepney ang stranded sa pila sa mga estasyon, checkpoint, bus at jeepney stop, sa loob ng NCR at sa mga papasok dito. Yung iba oras na ang hinintay sa masikip na kalagayang ito.

Kailangan ng malinaw na guidelines sa social distancing sa mga milyon-milyong nag-co-commute nating kababayan.

We respectfully ask the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease to review and improve its lockdown protocols on checkpoints to address the required social distancing for stopping the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

For one, those at the checkpoints should have adequate number of thermal scanners and protective gear for our public servants, soldiers, and policemen assigned at these checkpoints, otherwise these crowded areas may become the breeding ground of the disease, putting everyone at risk. For another, the Department of Labor and Employment should, in consultation with industry leaders, recommend staggered work hours to limit the rush-hour period for workers travelling to and from work.

Dahil na rin marami nang LGUs ang nagpataw ng curfew, sana bago matapos ang araw ay may bago nang protocol.



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Senator Imee Marcos has called on the government to cut the prices of more medicines and speed up the purchase of critical equipment other than just testing kits, as the country scrambles to fight the spread of coronavirus disease or Covid-19.

More medicines for those who are "immunocompromised" or have weaker immune systems due to illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and lung disorders should be included in the list of 72 more drugs that the government is considering this week for price regulation, Marcos said.

"Habang wala pang vaccine o lunas sa Covid-19, ang pag-asa na lamang ng mga mahihina ang immune system dahil sa kanilang mga kapansanan ay mas murang gamot," Marcos said.

Marcos issued the statement ahead of a mandatory technical working group (TWG) meeting of the health and trade and industry departments to discuss the 72 drugs that will be added to a previous list of medicines subjected to price caps.

The TWG is supposed to convene Wednesday, or 30 days after President Duterte issued Executive Order 104, which imposed maximum wholesale and retail prices on 133 medicines in February.

Besides cheaper medicine, Marcos also called on health officials to speed up the purchase of PPE's or personal protective equipment for frontline medical staff, and oxygen, ventilators, and beds for critical patient care amid the alarming trajectory of confirmed cases of Covid-19, from four to more than 140 in just over a week.

"Dapat nandun na tayo sa proteksyon ng mga nasa frontline at sa critical care ng mga pasyente, dahil mukhang hindi na mahahabol ng kulang-kulang na testing kit ang mabilis na paglaganap ng Covid-19 hindi lamang sa ating bansa kundi sa buong mundo," Marcos said.



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Dapat lahat ligtas. The President's directive for an 'enhanced community quarantine' in Luzon to contain the transmission of COVID-19 should be implemented as a public health measure that takes into account the welfare of the most vulnerable.

In its implementation, I urge the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to disseminate clear and coherent information that could effectively guide the public throughout the duration of this lockdown. Towards the end of this period, the guidelines should be clear on the de-escalation of quarantine and the eventual lifting of the public health emergency.

The respect and protection of the rights of Filipinos should never be compromised. All directives of the government should still operate within the framework of public health emergencies, as described under Republic Act 11332.

At this extraordinary time, I urge the national and local governments to ensure that safety nets to immediately provide proper social protection and assistance to the public be cast: cash assistance and loans in all forms to those who will lose livelihood and income; delivery of goods and services especially to the most vulnerable; reliable and uninterrupted service delivery of basic utilities such as water, electricity, and the internet; and heightened visibility and capacity for health workers. While we prepare for the imminent total lockdown, the government should give time for reasonable movement in order for households to access and avail of essential goods for their families. Hindi pwedeng biglaan at walang direksyon itong ipatutupad. The government should ensure transportation service and "safe passage" for the public. Ayusin natin ang mobility ng mga tao para hindi magulo ang paghanda nating lahat sa lockdown.

Dapat sinisigurado narin natin ang kapasidad at kahandaan ng mga lokal na komuninad na tumugon sa mga health emergencies, COVID-19 man ito o hindi. Habang tumatagal ang lockdown, mas hahaba din ang paghihirap ng bawat Pilipino.

Let's make use of this time wisely. The people need clarity and assurance. We need to assure them that we care for them, starting with those who have the least.



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Senator Risa Hontiveros today called for the urgent grant of hazard pay to health workers, government employees, military and police, security personnel, service workers and other 'frontliners' in the country's fight to contain the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

"Every day, our health workers and other heroes from the public and private sector make great sacrifices as they work in the frontlines to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Let us thank and help them by making sure they receive the proper compensation due their efforts," she said.

"Hindi lang dagdag face masks at protective wear ang kailangan ng ating mga health professionals at ibang frontliners laban sa COVID-19. Kailangan din nila ng dagdag takehome pay na naayon sa matinding pagod at panganib na kanilang iniinda at hinaharap," Hontiveros added.

The senator explained that under Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, doctors, nurses and other health workers in the public sector whose work exposes them to "danger, occupational risks and perils to life" must receive an additional hazard pay which can be as high as 25 percent of their monthly basic salary, depending on their pay grade.

"Agaran sanang maibigay ang hazard pay sa ating mga public health workers. Likewise, I hope that health professionals working in the private sector will immediately receive similar additional compensation," Hontiveros said.

Apart from health workers, Hontiveros said that hazard pay must be likewise granted to government employees who ensure that key public services continue to function despite the outbreak: "Huwag din natin kalimutan ang mga traffic enforcers, pulis, sundalo, immigration officers, barangay tanod, office clerks at iba pang kawani ng pamahalaan na patuloy na direktang naninilbihan sa publiko."

While no law currently requires the payment of hazard pay in the private sector, Hontiveros also appealed to employers to "take the initiative in providing additional pay" to workers like security guards, bank tellers, shopping attendants, cashiers, media workers, restaurant waiters and hotel staff, whose work expose them to greater risk of being infected with COVID-19.

"Without our underappreciated security guards, shopping attendants, cashiers and other workers providing basic services, life in the metro as we know it would grind to a halt. Let us extend a helping hand to these workers who in turn, help preserve some sense of normalcy in our communities, even in these difficult times," Hontiveros said.



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With Metro Manila under community quarantine, Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross, called on everyone to show social cohesion during this critical period.

Gordon called on malls to show consideration to their tenants by temporarily waiving rental charges and penalties since business will be slack due to the mall hours adjustment in Metro Manila and the quarantine amid the threat.

He also called on employers to help their employees tide over the next few weeks by advancing their 13th month pay.

"I call on everyone to show social cohesion at this critical period. Malls should show consideration to their tenants by temporarily waiving rental charges and penalties. Business owners should advance 13th month pay of their employees to help them thru over the next few weeks," he said.

The senator also called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to work with banks to give a grace period in interest and principal payments to small business owners who will be hard hit during this period of community quarantine

He also pointed out that the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Social Welfare and Development have livelihood programs and TUPAD funds that can be used to benefit displaced, underemployed and unemployed, seasonal workers during the month long quarantine.

Gordon said drivers of public utility vehicles and tricycles, who will be displaced since the number of public utility vehicles to be allowed to ply the streets will be limited, should avail of the said programs.

"Let us help each other survive this crisis through unity, cooperation and social cohesion," he said.



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Dahil sa sitwasyon ngayon, kailangan nating magkaisa at gawin kaagad ang lahat ng pwedeng gawin para maprotektahan ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino.

GOVERNMENT FUNDS ARE SUFFICIENT AND AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

We currently have enough funding to help DOH and other concerned agencies to promptly respond to the needs of our people amid the COVID-19 situation.

I mentioned last week that PAGCOR can provide an additional P2 billion. P420 million from PCSO will also be allocated based on a proclamation issued by the President. There is also around P539 million in DOH savings and P81 million from the DOH Quick Response Fund that can be utilized. We also have available Contingency Funds and NDRRMC funds as standby sources when needed. Additionally, the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency allows LGUs to utilize their local disaster risk reduction management funds (LDRRMF) under RA 10121.

Furthermore, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo just issued a Joint Statement that government funds are sufficient for DOH, DOST and UP Manila's National Institute of Health for the production of the COVID-19 diagnostic kits and that a local private firm is capable of producing bigger quantities of these kits.

I AM WILLING TO PUSH FOR A SPECIAL SESSION OF CONGRESS TO APPROVE A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET IF NECESSARY.

If the abovementioned sources prove insufficient, I will recommend to the President that he may call for a Special Session so that Congress can deliberate on the need to approve a supplemental budget.

During a hearing in the Lower House last March 10, 2020, P1.65 billion had been certified as available for this purpose by the Bureau of Treasury.

Congress is currently on Session Break and some of our colleagues are also on self-quarantine. Given the situation now, we should find ways to respond to the needs of our people, especially at this time when decisive government action is needed the most.

Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang pagtulong natin sa mga nangangailangan. Now, more than ever, we, as elected officials, must do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people.

TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR: MAGBAYANIHAN TAYO!

I appeal to the private sector---the industry players, business leaders, foundations and the like---to join hands and combine our efforts as we fight COVID-19 as one nation, as one people.

Threats of COVID-19 to the safety and lives of our people continue to grow. While the government is doing its best, we can help contain the spread of the infection if we adopt a whole-of-society approach.

Maraming pwedeng maitulong ang pribadong sektor para mapagaan ang hirap ng ating mga kababayan. Ito ang iilan sa aking mga apila sa pribadong sektor:

- Release 13th Month Pay: Kahit prorated lang, malaking tulong na iyan sa ating mga kababayan habang naka-community quarantine.

- Moratorium on Rental Fees for renters and tenants: Ipagpaliban po muna sana ang upa ng mga tindahan pati na rin ang mga stalls na pribadong pagmamay-ari at ng gobyerno.

- One month reprieve on bills payments from Basic Utility Providers: Gawan po natin ng paraan na mapagaan ang gastusin ng mga mahihirap habang nasa krisis ang buong mundo.

- Big Businesses Should Help Small and Medium Scale Enterprises: Tulungan sana ng mga malalaking kompanya ang mga maliliit na negosyante na hindi mamatay ang kabuhayan nila.

- Impose Work from Home and Flexible Work Schedule: Kung maaari, huwag na natin papasukin ang ating mga empleyado sa opisina lalo na kung kaya naman magampanan ang trabaho nila mula sa bahay sa pamamagitan ng teknolohiya.

- Limit Essential Travels Only and Encourage Everyone to Stay at Home: Ang prayoridad natin ngayon ay ang kaligtasan ng lahat. Magtulungan po tayo na maiwasang mahawaan ng sakit ang ating kapwa.

Kasunod ng mga apila kong ito, nakausap ko si DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez at magkakaroon daw siya ng meeting kasama ang mga business leaders para mapagusapan ang iba't ibang mga hakbang na gagawin upang makatulong sila sa mga maliliit na negosyante at mapagaan ang hirap na dulot ng krisis na ito sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino.

NAGPAPASALAMAT RIN PO AKO SA INYONG MGA DONASYON AT TULONG.

Meron ng mga nagpahayag ng kanilang intensyong tumulong sa ngayon, katulad ng mga alcoholic drinks manufacturers na may malakihang donasyon ng denatured alcohol para magamit ng ating mga ospital, mga kumpanya ng langis na magtatabi ng P1-2 kada litrong nabebenta at mga casino na magtatatag ng kani-kanilang mga foundations upang makalikom ng pondong itutulong sa ating mga kababayan.

Taus puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Hinihikayat ko din ang ibang merong malasakit sa kapwa na mag-ambag ng tulong para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Marami na tayong napagdaanan na mga delubyo at trahedya subalit dahil sa ating pagkakaisa, pagdadamayan at pagmamalasakit sa isa't isa, nalampasan natin ang mga ito. Ngayon, muli na namang sinusubok ng sakit na ito ang katatagan ng ating pagiging Pilipino. Magkaisa at magbayanihan po tayo!

Maraming salamat po!



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Q: Magandang hapon, Senator Win.

SEN WIN: Magandang hapon sa lahat ng ating tagapakinig.

Q: Ano po ang inyong rekomendasyon sa panahong ito?

SEN WIN: Unang-una, importante na maintindihan ng mga kababayan natin na sa mga ginagawang hakbang ng ating pamahalaan ay para sa kabutihan ng lahat. Matagal kong pinag-aaralan itong sitwasyon na ito. Tayo ay naka-self quarantine ngayon dahil last week ay meron tayong isang resource person na kumpirmadong may COVID-19 kaya mahaba ang oras ko sa pag-aaral nito. Napag-aralan natin na importante ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa kasi kung hindi, itong virus na ito ay kakalat at kakalat. Ang kinatatakutan ko, kung dumami ng dumami ito, hindi kakayanin ng ospital natin na saluhin lahat. Limitado ang kakayahang ng ating mga ospital kaya importanteng mahinto natin ito at hindi tayo umabot sa punto na magiging punong-puno ang ating mga ospital.

Q: Sa inyong pananaw, talagang kailangan totally stop ang mga tao, ganun po ba?

SEN WIN: Ang importante po ay huminto ang pagkalat. Yung pagkalat ay galing yan sa tao. Kagaya po ng naranasan namin sa Senado, itong resource person ho namin, wala syang pinakitang sakit. In fact, mahigpit po ang pagche-check sa Senado. Sa entrance pa lang ay kinukuhanan na ng temperature, may thermal scanner tayo. Pagpasok po, kinabukasan nagkasakit sya at kumpirmadong meron syang Covid virus. Ngayon, ganun din ang pwedeng may virus sa mga kababayan. Tingin nila wala silang sakit, hindi sila carrier pero nakikipaghalubilo sila, pumupunta sa birthday o binyag, yun palang nakakahawa na sila. Ang importante ngayon ay mahinto natin ang paghahawa at mahinto natin itong transmission. Isang paraan ay dapat magkaroon ng quarantine ang buong Metro Manila at ngayon, buong Luzon.

Q: Ngayon kasi is selected pa, depende pa sa trabaho ng mga tao. Paano naman po ang mga kailangang-kailangan talagang lumabas ng bahay? Kailangan talagang bumyahe sila? Yung kanilang pang-araw araw ay nasa kabuhayan nila? Anong gagawin dyan?

SEN WIN: Ang importante kasi ngayon, dito sa kalagayan natin ay mahinto natin at least for 15 days to one month dahil kung hindi natin mahinto yan, sa loob ng isang buwan, ay siguradong marami po ang magkakasakit at marami tayong kababayan na pwedeng mamatay sa virus na ito dahil mataas ang mortality rate natin eh. More than 10%. Ibig sabihin, dapat lahat tayo ay magsakripisyo short-term dito sa maikling panahon para mahinto natin ito para sa long-term ay hindi ho kumalat ito. Talagang tayong lahat ay dapat magsakripisyo�mga negosyante at mga manggagawa para hindi kumalat ito. Kasi kung hindi, in the long run, magkakaroon tayo ng mas malaking problema kaya isipin muna natin ang pwede nating gawin ngayon para hindi na lumala ito. Sa ngayon, dito sa enhanced community quarantine, wala pa pong guidelines at ayokong pangunahan, pero nababasa ko lang ho sa internet. Lahat ay mananatili sa kanilang tahanan. Lilimitahan ang transportasyon at yung mga papasok sa metro manila ay limitado lang. Yun po ang ibig sabihin ng enhanced community quarantine na lahat tayo ay dapat sumunod at makipagkaisa.

Q: Sir, marami na nga ho ang gumagawa ngayon ng home working kagaya nyo ho na hindi pumupunta ng Senado pero may communication pa rin kayo na ginagawa para maiparating niyo ang inyong trabaho bilang Senador. Pero yung talagang hindi ho makakalabas ng bahay at kailangan naman nila ng pagkain, alcohol o anumang gamit nila. Kapag dineklara ho ang state of calamity, kagaya sa Quezon City, may capacity ho ba ang gobyerno na pwedeng pang suporta kahit papaano man lang? Kahit pangkain man lang ng mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan na talagang isang kahig isang tuka.

SEN WIN: Magandang tanong yan. In fact, dalawa ang tanong mo. Una, paano yung lalabas at bibili ng pagkain. Pangalawa, yung walang pagkain. Sa mga ganitong community quarantine, merong mga limitasyon yan. So bukas ang supermarkets o limitado ang mga pagbubukas ng supermarkets o palengke, ng bangko o gasolinahan. Kailangan mo ring magpakrudo eh para kung magpunta ka ng ospital. May mga limitasyon din itong mga establisyimentong para ang ating mga kababayan ay makabili ng pagkain at makakuha ng pera. Ngayon, doon po sa mga kababayan natin na daily wage, yung pang-araw araw ang kanilang kinikita at yung pang-araw araw nila, yun din ang ginagamit nila pambili ng pang-araw araw na pangangailangan. Dito papasok ang responsibilidad ng pamahalaan. Kagaya po sa amin dito sa Valenzuela, na-identify na namin yung mga tinatawag namin na kailangan ng suporta sa pagkain. Kasama ho namin ang aming barangay, ini-identify ho namin kung ilan ho sila potentially at kung sino ang magdi-distribute ng pagkain. Ngayon, kung hindi ho sila makakapunta ng kanilang pinagtatrabahuan, ang gobyerno ho ang magdadala ng pagkain.

Q: Yung sinasabi niyo po ay Valenzuela. How about po ang buong Pilipinas o sabihin na natin ang buong Luzon kung tayo po ay naka quarantine sa Luzon kaya ho ba may pondo ho na na kaya ilaan, 15 days man lang, bibigyan ng pagkain man lang sa araw-araw yung mga talagang indigent nating mga kababayan?

SEN WIN: Kaya yan, dahil unang-una early part of the year pa lang ngayon so yung calamity fund intact pa yan. Ang calamity fund ng pamahalaan na almost 20 billion, intact pa yan. Ang Presidential social fund Almost 5 billion. At ang mga local government may calamity fund ho yan, katulad ho namin sa Valenzuela, intact pa yung aming calamity fund, kung 30 days ho hindi ho magiging problema yung pag su-supply ng pagkain, Marso pa lang ngayon, unang bahagi ng taon kaya meron pa tayong pondo na pwede hong gamitin.

Q: So sa inyong obserbasyon Senator Win Gatchalian, para bang hindi pa, kumbaga kulang pa, ang community quarantine na nangyayari ngayon? Na sa araw-araw ay talagang sinisita yung mga tao, may mga check-point sa gabi at pagpapatupad ng curfew pagdating ng alas-otso ng gabi, kulang pa ho ba ito sa inyong tantsa?

SEN WIN: Magandang tanong yan dahil meron pong kaibahan yung community quarantine at yung lockdown. Ang kaibahan niyan dito sa community papayagan pa rin magtrabaho ang tao, pupunta pa rin sila sa kanilang opisina, pupunta pa rin sila kanilang pinagtatrabahuan at yung pribadong sektor ay binigyan ng kapangyarihan, ng jurisidiction para gumawa ng paraan para di na papapasukin yung kanilang mga empleyado. Ngayon nasa kamay yan ng pribadong sektor. Ang kaibahaan lang at ito yung aking mungkahi, yung lockdown, kasi nga ang kinakatakutan ko, kung hindi natin mahinto ang movement ng tao, kung hindi natin mahinto yung paglalakbay ng tao sa Metro Manila pagpunta sa sa iba't-ibang lugar, tuloy-tuloy pa rin yung transmission, tuloy-tuloy pa rin makakahawa yung mga ibang taong may sakit at gusto kong bigyan diin na marami sa ating kababayan, hindi nila alam na may sakit na sila, na nakakahawa na sila, kaya yun ang dapat natin ihinto.

Kaya ang aking mungkahi, lockdown pero nirerespeto ho natin yung community quarantine dahil alam kong rin na mahirap itong decision na ito. Ngayon, dapat sumunod ang ating kababayanan natin doon sa ilalabas na guidelines dito ho sa enhanced community quarantine.

Q: So importante ho na talaga hindi gumalaw yung tao so kung talaga babanggitin ho natin, rekomendasyon nga, hindi lang community quarantine kung di total lockdown--

SEN WIN: Correct, dahil ang importante nga ay mahinto natin yung transmission at yun po yung nangyayari samin. Ito may first-hand experience ako na yung resource person namin nakapasok Senado walang sakit. Very lively pa nga siya nagsasalita doon tapos dala-dala na pala niya yung virus. Kinabukasan ang bilis, kinabukasan lang may sakit na ho siya. Imagine niyo ho ganun ang nangyayari ngayon dahil hindi natin alam, marami tayong mga kausap ngayon, hindi natin alam na wala siyang sakit, akala natin wala siyang sakit yun pala may sakit na siya. Ang problema dito yang virus nay an pag kumapit sa mga senior citizens, napaka hirap po ng kanilang recovery. Marami ho na senior citizens na tinamaan nitong virus ay nahirapan po mag recover.

Q: Senador, kung ito ay papatupad gaano kaya ka-immediate yan? Pwedeng bukas? O palipasin ng dalawang araw o tatlong araw para makapag-mobilize muna, mag realignment muna yung mga pangangailangan siya nga pala hindi lang po pagkain kungdi test-kits dapat available po yan, para yung ni-lock down na lugar na yun kung may mga tao roon, ma-test sila kaagad na hindi sila bibiyahe patungo sa ibang mga ospital, dapat ba fairly distributed yan Senator sa community hospital yung test kit?

SEN WIN: Yan naman yung malaking problema natin ngayon, walang tayo o oonti lang yung test kit natin at iisa lang ang pasilidad na nagbibigay ng resulta� Sa Valenzuela gusto sana namin bumili ng dalawang libong test kits pero ang sabi samin hindi pa napro-produce.

Q: Isang pharmaceutical company na magsasabi na sila ay mag ma-mass produce.

SEN WIN: Ang balita namin magiging available pa yan by middle of April. Eh huli na yun kung middle of April eh ngayon pa lang kumukulat na. at nakita ko yung nangyari sa Italy, sana wag mangyari satin, 20,000. Sa Iran, 16,000 eh ito mayayaman na bansa, higit na mas mayaman satin. Doble-doble ang kanilang yaman sa atin, dahil ayaw na natin umabot sa punto na mahihirapan na yung ating mga ospital, mga nurse, mga doktor, ngayon pa lang ihinto na natin. Ngayon kung umabot sa punto na hindi na kakayanin ng ating bansa saan pa tayo pupunta.

Q: Ito po ay po ay rekomendasyon ninyo bilang isang Senador at magpapatupad nito syempre yung Inter-Agency Task Force Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases nakaakibat syempre nito ang office ng Malacañang, meron ho ba kayong communication with this inter-agency committee?

SEN WIN: Meron ho kaming chat group ng mga Senador at si Senator Bong Go ay member doon at nababasa niya ang lahat ng ating mga mungkahi. Kaya ako naniniwala ako, si Senator Bong Go ang Chairman ng Health Committee ho namin, naniniwala ako na pinag-aaralan niya mabuti yan. Pero uulitin ko ang aking mungkahi ay total lockdown sa Metro Manila para huminto yung transmission, yung pagkahawa po nitong virus sa iba't-iba nating mga kababayan. Mahinto po yung galawa, dapat po mahinto yung galawa dahil kung hindi po huminto yung galawa, hindi natin alam ho kung sino yung kausap natin baka may dala-dala na pala yung virus.

Q: Metro Manila lang ho yan no?

SEN WIN: Metro Manila dahil andito ho halos lahat ng may covid virus at dahil Metro Manila ang pinaka malaki at pinaka masikip na lugar, madali ho tayong mahawa dito kaya immediately dapat ho i-lockdown to para huminto po yung transmission.

Q: So mangyayari ho niyan Senador, wala hong lalabas sa buong Metro Manila, haharangin ka, stop ka na diyan, kahit yung biyahe patungo ng probinsya totally walang papasok at walang lalabas?

SEN WIN: Correct, for at least two weeks. Tignan muna natin in two weeks eh kung huminto mas maganda ho yun. Walang papasok, walang lalabas sa Metro Manila, wala hong trabaho. Lahat po tayo ay nasa bahay para hindi po makipaghalubilo sa ibang tao. Tuloy pa rin naman po yung sweldo ng mga manggagawa at empleyado dahil work from home. Yun naman pong mga daily wage bibigyan po ng supply ng pamahalaan yung kanilang kita at susuportahan sa pamamagitan ng isang subsidiya. Yung pang araw-araw po na pagkain yung mga local government naman natin ang mag su-supply.



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With the number of positive cases of COVID-19 increasing on a daily basis, Senator Win Gatchalian calls for total lockdown in Metro Manila.

In calling for a total Metro Manila lockdown, Gatchalian says people should strictly observe staying indoors. He says all areas of convergence should be strictly shut, such as parks, malls, churches and other places of gatherings. He adds all public and private vehicles should strictly be barred in and out of Metro Manila to contain the virus.

The lawmaker says the government should see to it that private companies and other private organizations should implement a work-from-home scheme. He pointed out that a community quarantine is an ineffective way to contain the virus because Filipinos, who need to physically be in their offices have no option, but to brave their way to crowded passenger terminals, defeating the purpose of the government's call for social distancing.

Gatchalian urged the government for the stricter implementation of the Telecommuting Act not only to allow employees to work from home, but also to ensure employees working remotely are entitled to overtime pay, leaves, and other benefits. The senator stressed out that workers who are forced not to report for work due to the lockdown should be paid since the emergency situation calls for it.

"Sa kabila ng umiiral na community quarantine, nakita natin kanina ang mga manggagawa na pila-pila sa mga iba't ibang terminal ng pampublikong sasakyan. Gusto natin ang mga tao na mag-practice ng social distancing pero pagdating sa mga terminal ng bus, UV express, at maging sa MRT ay siksikan pa din ang mga tao," Gatchalian pointed out.

The community quarantine does not prevent infected people without symptoms from getting outside Metro Manila borders, making it possible for asymptomatic transmission to happen, according to Gatchalian.

If Metro Manila borders will not be completely sealed off, Gatchalian warned that we may be overwhelmed by the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The Department of Health reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country jumped to 140, including a 13-year-old patient, while the death toll rose to 12.

Gatchalian took note of the speed of the increase in the number of confirmed cases from March 8 to 15, with a daily growth of 277% on the average. 86% of these confirmed cases are from the same period.

"This is the situation that we fear. Iran has nearly 14,000 confirmed cases with 724 deaths while the number of cases in Italy has already ballooned to 24,747 and 368 of them died. If we don't do any drastic measure to avoid people-to-people contact, we are heading that way," he said.

"Again, the situation calls for more drastic actions to prevent COVID-19 from spreading outside Metro Manila and anywhere in the country. Everyone's cooperation is needed in the fight against this dreaded virus. If this means that the government must implement more stringent measures to protect the safety and welfare of everyone, then this is the bitter pill we need to swallow," Gatchalian said.



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Q: Senator Gatchalian, good morning. Kamusta na po kayo?

SEN WIN: Magandang umaga, Mike at sa ating mga tagapakinig.

SELF-QUARANTINE

Q: Bago po kami magtanong tungkol sa ibang issue, interesado po kami sa heath mo. Kamusta na po ang kalagayan mo pagkatapos ng self-quarantine mula nung isang araw?

SEN WIN: Okay naman tayo, Mike. Wala naman tayong sakit. Tayo ay sumusunod lang sa protocol ng ating pamahalaan na kung tayo ay na-expose sa isang taong may sakit ng covid ay mag-foforce self-qurantine tayo. Ganun rin po sa lahat. Self-quarantine ito so ibig sabihin, dapat boluntaryo nating ginagawa pero sana maintindihan ng lahat na hindi ito para sa ating sarili kundi para sa mga taong makakasalamuha natin o makakausap natin dahil hindi natin alam kung tayo ay carrier na o hindi.

Q: Yun bang kapwa mo mga Senador ay nagboluntaryo din? Nabalitaan nating ng isang araw, willing sila magvolunteer? Yung mga naksama mo sa hearing, yung mga Senador na posibleng nakalapit din sa isang resource person ninyo na naapektuhan?

SPECIAL SESSION

SEN WIN: Halos lahat po ng Senador ngayon ay nag-voluntary self-quarantine at inaantay ho naming ang lumabas ang results dahil nagpa-test rin ho kami at yun na nga...ang iba lumalabas na rin kagaya ng sa secretary at kami naman sa mga Senador, hopefully, within the day ay makuha na naming para makagalaw na ho kami. Meron hong malaking tsansa na magpapatawag ho ng special hearing. Actually, Mike, nasa bahay ako, tinitingnan ko ang statistics ngayon. Since March 8 until March 15, in a span of mga walong araw, tumaas po by an average of 277% ang may sakit ng covid dito sa atin. Ako, kinakabahan ako dahil unang-una, meron ba tayong sapat na pera para labanan ito? At isa pong mahalagang gampanin po ng Senado ay ang special session. Importante na handa ho kami kapag tayo po ay ipapatawag para magkaroon ng special session para mag-apruba ng karagdagang pondo. Dapat handa ho tayo physically dahil importante ho physically, nasa Senado ho tayo.

Q: Pero Sir, hindi lang siguro yung budget. Pati yung mga hospital, enough ba ang ating mga hospital? Kasi hindi nga natin alam kung dadami pa o hindi kasi 140 na, ang bilis po ng pagdami. Kaya ba ng ating mga hospital in case na lumala pa ito? Huwag naman sana.

TOTAL METRO MANILA LOCKDOWN

SEN WIN: Dalawang bagay yan. naka-self-quarantine ako ng halos apat na araw na kaya wala akong ibang ginawa kundi magbasa at mag-research kung ano ba ang nangyayari dito sa iba't-ibnag parte dito ng ating mundo. Dalawang bagay, Unang-una, wag na nating paabutin pa doon sa tinatawag nating napakalaking bilang ng may sakit. Importante ngayon, habang 140 pa lang ay ihinto na natin ito dahil baka hindi na natin kayanin kapag umabot ito ng libo-libo. Ang pangalawa ay ang tanong mo, kaya ba natin ang libo-libong magkakasakit? Kaya ang unang istratehiya ay wag na nating paabutin doon. Ang pangalawa, kung aabot tayo doon, ano ba ang mga pwede nating gawin para dumagdag sa capacity ng ating mga ospital? So ang unang katanungan. Nakikita ko, dahil ang laki ng paglobo ng nagkakasakit sa atin dito, importante na mag-implementa natin ngayon ng mas mahigpit na istratehiya. Tingin ko, dapat i-implement na rin natin ang total lockdown sa Metro Manila dahil wag na nating antayin tong umabot ng libo dahil kapag umabot to ng libo, mas mahirap sagutin ang pangalawang tanong mo. Meron ba tayong kapasidad? Wag na nating paabutin doon. Para hindi na umabot doon, mag-implement na ng total lockdown. Ano ba itong total lockdown? Unang-una, lahat ay dapat nasa bahay, hindi po pwedeng lumabas. Ang pinaka-puno't dulo ho nito, nakakahawa talaga. Kapag tayo ay nakisalamuha, nakipag-meeting, nakipag-birthday o kasal. Nagagalit nga kami sa ibang mga kababayan naming sa Valenzuela dahil over the weekend, may nagpabinyag, may nagpakasal.

Q: Bawal na ho iyan ah.

SEN WIN: Oho. Dapat maintindihan ho ng mga kababayan natin na delikado ho yan, di mo alam kung carrier ang kausap mo.

Q: Tsaka ambilis ng pangyayari Senator. Nung Friday, 98 na ang pinag-uusapan eh. Ngayon, 140 na eh.

SEN WIN: Oho. Dahil nga nung Friday, Saturday maraming kasal at binyag. Hindi nila alam, matalsikan lang sila ng laway ng kausap nila na carrier pala, edi nahawa na sila.

Q: So pabor ka na lockdown ang kailangan? Hindi lang community quarantine?

SEN WIN: Tingin ko hindi na ho eh. Mabilis na ho ang pag-akyat ng kaso eh. Kung hindi natin mahinto ito, magkakaroon tayo ng mas malaking problema.

Q: Pero Senador, masingit ko lang, pag lockdown ang pinaguusapan parang obligasyon na na ng gobyerno mag supply ng pagkain, kaya ba natin gawin yun? Gagawin ba nila yun?

SEN WIN: Tama ho yun, for the next 30 days gagawa po ng paraan ang local government na mag supply ho ng pagkain doon sa mga kababayan natin na pang araw-araw lang ang kinikita--Sa aking pananaw, isipin natin, in the next 30 days, ano mas kakayanin natin? Yun, o mas madaming pasyente ang gagamutin natin? yun lang naman ang options natin, kung hindi ho tayo mag total lockdown, malaki ho ang tsansa na gagamutin natin itong mga pasyente na ito in the next six months at pag pinapanood ko po yung nangyari sa Iran, 12,000 na ang may sakit, ang dami nang namamatay doon at saka sa Italy.

Q: Senador may masingit ko lang, isang istorya, kung anong pananaw mo rito, pabor ba kayo na ang mungkahi, may nagbigay ng idea na gawing online yung mga pag-aaral ng mga bata dahil nabitin tayo eh, graduation na dapat next week?

SEN WIN: Kailangan ho yan, balikan ko lang yung sa Italy at sa Iran, mayaman to ah, mas mayaman pa sa atin. Meron yang magagaling at magagandang ospital, magagandang pasilidad, mas malayo ho pagdating sa yaman sa atin pero ganun pa rin ang nangyari sa kanila at huli na nung nag lockdown yung Italy. So importante dito, yung lockdown, ibig-sabihin bawal makipagsalamuha for the next 30 days.

Q: Bawal lumabas ng bahay?

SEN WIN: Bawal lumabas ng bahay para humupa itong pagkalat ng virus at kaya iniisip ko, dalawa lang naman ho ang options natin eh, gumastos tayo in the next 30 days ng pagkain o gumastos tayo ng mas mahaba sa gamot, pasilidad at ospital?

Q: Di lang yung may mamatay pa--

SEN WIN: Correct, at yung mga mamatay pa, yung ang mga options na pwedeng nating pagisipan kaya para sakin feeling ko mas kakayanin natin mag-supply ng pagkain, kaysa mag supply ng gamot na hindi natin alam kung gaano kahaba pa--

Q: So ang tingin mo Senador Gatchalian yung nangyari sa Italy hindi epektibo yung kanila? Kasi noong unang araw nag-declare sila ng 16 million community quarantine? Walang nangyari dahil maraming naapektuhan, mali yung nangyari? Mali ba yung ginawa?

SEN WIN: Yung ginawa ho nila huli na eh, kaya kumalat na ng kumalat at to be honest about it yung nangyari sa Italy, nangyayari na rin satin ngayon noong unang panahon nila, kaya nga habang maaga pa lang, ang nakikita ko ay dapat mas mahigpit pa yung total lockdown na sinasabi natin--

Q: Dapat pala Senador ma-konsulta kayo ng inter-agency task force sa idea niyo na ito, walang masama sa idea mo na to dahil proteksyon pa rin ang pinaguuspan natin?

COVID-19 STATISTICS

SEN WIN: Tinitignan ko ngayon yung statistika, hindi naman natin sinsabi to dahil tayo ay sentimental, ito ay dahil po nakita natin on the last 8 days (March8-15,2020), 277% ang taas, its more than 3 times yung pagtaas within 8 days. So ganun po kalala ang pagtaas, hindi siya pababa kaya nga yung aking mungkahi, kung hindi tayo maghihigpit in the next seven to eight days, baka tumaas ulit yan by another 300%, tri-triple yung 140, so kung 140, times three mga 400 plus or almost 420 plus in the next seven to eight days ulit.

Q: Itong bang idea ito pwede niyong ilapit sa kapwa niyo Senador? Para maging boses ng Senado itong idea mong ito kahit na sayo nanggaling, pero mas maganda siguro kung susuportahan ka ng buong Senado para sa plano mong ito at gusto mong mangyari kasi nakikita ko rin na kailangan kung ganyan ang statistics at nangyayari Senador?

SEN WIN: Correct, oo kasi kailangan nga ho talaga ng mas drastic changes ngayon dahil nga ito ay lumalala at sa akin, dalawa naman yung approach, actually tama yung mga tanong mo, meron ba tayong kapasidad?

Q: Yan ang tanong, meron ba tayong kakayanan, ospital na kakailanganin, in case?

SEN WIN: Sa totoo lang kagaya experience namin sa Valenzuela, yung astrodome ho namin eh ginawa na naming temporary hospital, kapag ito ay umabot hanggang Valenzuela kulang ho talaga nag kapasidad ng aming ospital.

Q: Eh ilang libong tao yung nasa Valenzuela, diba ang laki-laki ng Valenzuela City?

SEN WIN: Correct, kami, city ho kami, pano pa yung mga municipalities diba? Hindi naman ho lahat kakayanin ito.

Q: So maganda ho itong idea ninyo ah, at sinasabi ninyo ito Senador valid ito, sana madinig ng Inter-Agency Task Force, the Office of the President at hindi naman para mag create ng panic pero prevention ang importante sa sinasabi ninyo Senador?

SEN WIN: Oo.

Q: Kaya elting-healthy ka para sakin hahaha-- elting-healthy ka kasi nakaisip ka pa ng ganito Senador--Syempre diba under quarantine ka tapos naiisip mo pa yung ganito so ok na ok, alam kong bising busy ka pero salamat sa abala ah, na under quarantine ka pero noong tinanggap mo yung tawag, Salamat sa ganyan.

SEN WIN: Maraming Salamat din sa pagtawag at maraming salamat ho.



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3/16/20

This is the height of arrogance and insensitivity! Napakawalang-hiya! But this is expected, coming from Salvador Panelo, the spokesperson of a murderous, anti-poor regime.

This is how you reassure your fellow Filipinos in a life and death emergency, "walang namamatay sa gutom." As you are the presidential mouthpiece, should we assume that the government is asking the people to just wait and suffer because safety nets for our survival, especially for the poor, do not exist? Punong-puno talaga kayo ng malasakit!

"Walang namamatay sa gutom" is just another way of saying, "Mahirap kayo, wala akong pakialam, mamatay kayo sa gutom!"

Maraming mahihirap ang arawan ang sahod, Mr. Panelo. Walang sapat na kakayanan upang mag-imbak ng pagkain at iba pang pangunahing kailangan sa gitna ng isang public health emergency. Araw-araw, kailangan nilang kumayod upang hindi magutom ang pamilya. Matagal na silang nagtitiis sa gutom kung hindi man sa takot na baka sa susunod sila naman ang target ng drug war niyo. Of course, you know this, you just don't care, coming from your seat of privilege.

Ikaw at ang mga kauri mo ang hindi mamamatay sa gutom. Busog na busog kasi ang mga bulsa niyo mula sa dugo at pawis ng mga Pilipinong tiyak na mamamatay sa gutom habang patuloy na nasa kapangyarihan ang mga katulad niyo.

(Access the handwritten copy of Dispatch from Crame No. 739, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_no._739)



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3/16/20

As they say, we have no choice but to bite the bullet.

Although the blame for this public health disaster falls squarely on Duterte for being more concerned about China's feelings than the clamor of his own countrymen to shut the country's ports of entry to China as early as the middle of January, what should have been a lead time of two months has been wasted, and we are now left with no choice but to deal with Duterte's traitorous lack of concern for Filipino lives.

Because of the non-stop entry since January of thousands of possible COVID19-infected Chinese from the mainland - tourists, workers and PLA soldiers disguised as both - the COVID19 virus has now infected more than 100 of our countrymen and killed almost a dozen. This is the cost of voting for and tolerating a traitor that holds no allegiance to any other country but to China and to no other people but the mainland Chinese.

Be that as it may, we now have to deal with these ourselves. Beyond the checkpoints and the military's praetorian presence in the next 30 days in our lives, we should not lose sight of the more important requirements to combat the virus. These are: a fully-equipped health force, complete and absolute support to our medical professionals and health workers, and efficient delivery of health and medical logistics to our hospitals, both public and private.

The soldiers' M16s might be there to falsely reassure us that Duterte is on top of the situation. But he is not. From the very start, he was not, not because he could not, but because he did not want to.

The soldiers' bullets cannot kill the virus, only the skill of our doctors and nurses can. Then it is also just a matter of time before the soldiers themselves start getting infected, and that is when we will realize that the real arena of battle in this fight is not out there in the provincial frontiers, but inside our hospitals and our communities. Here, the doctors and health workers will be our soldiers.

But as our health force starts to respond to every case of the dreadful disease, we must also make sure that our borders are secure from further infection from the outside, especially China. Any remaining flights from that country should be completely banned, something that should have been done two months ago when the first signals of a global pandemic began to arise from Wuhan as its residents started to spread the virus throughout the world, even while bodies already started falling in that city.

The next plausible solution of course is self-quarantine for everyone. But even the framework of this NCR lockdown does not fully take that into account. In the next 30 days, workers will still go to the factories where they will work in close quarters, and employees will still interact with each other in their air-conditioned offices. These are not positive environments for prevention. In fact, they are veritable conditions for infection and spread of the virus.

This is why preparing our health force for the worst should be the first order of the day. If this disaster is going to be on the same scale as Italy is now undergoing, our medical facilities should be expanded and our health force reassured that they will get all that they will need, both from the government and the private sector.

Nothing personal, but Sec. Duque seems to inspire little confidence, if at all, as he is perceived to be more of a politician rather than a health administrator or medical professional. This was all too clear when he failed to act immediately, deferring instead to his principal's pro-China proclivities. He needs to redeem himself and his institution, after Duterte has tarnished DOH's good name for his love for the Chinese President.

Nakakaawa na daw ang Pangulo, sabi ng mga DDS trolls? How dare they tell us that! ###



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Officials from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Audit (COA) have agreed to the proposal of Senator Joel Villanueva for the continued pay of Metro Manila-based contractuals working in government while the capital is under a community quarantine to stem the spread of COVID-19.

CSC and COA are meeting on Monday to hammer out the final details of the resolution, which will affect over 100,000 contractual workers categorized as either job order or contract of service, according to the lawmaker.

"We are grateful to our government for considering our proposal for job order or contract of service workers in government to still be paid while work in parts of the government remain suspended to prevent spreading the risk of our people from getting infected by COVID-19," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development, in a statement.

"This will complement the existing work-from-home arrangement that government offices will implement while Metro Manila is under community quarantine. It will allow our colleagues under job order or contract of service categories to be paid while they are telecommuting during the quarantine," Villanueva added.

Villanueva explained that guidelines covering the payment of workers under job order and contract of service categories are jointly issued by the CSC and COA.

Nearly 670,000 contractual workers in government are under either job order or contract of service categories as of May 2019, according to CSC data. Some 110,000 of goverment contractual workers are in the National Capital Region where a community quarantine is being implemented from March 15 to April 14, 2020.

While the government ordered that a skeletal staffing be implemented in government offices to ensure that services remain unimpeded, the income of daily-paid workers will shrink significantly to the point that they may not be able to provide for their families, pointed out Villanueva, adding that this was the context of his proposal for the continued pay of contractual workers in government.

"We hope our CSC and COA officials are able to finalize the guidelines by Monday so that we can ease the concern of our government contractual workers and focus our attention and effort to other problems our country is facing, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic," Villanueva said.



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The implementation of a curfew in the national capital region will have unforeseen outcomes on the economy, delivery of public services, and the general welfare of the people, especially among the poor.

How will the government cushion its impact on the livelihood of workers who will be temporarily laid off because of business inactivity? What assistance can the government offer to small businesses which will be forced to shut down operations or operate in reduced hours?

These are among the questions that we hope can be answered by the proper authorities when the details of the curfew are put in place.

We urge the government's Price Council to make sure that basic food items and other supplies are readily available at fair value.

The limit to purchases should be imposed not only on alcohol, but also on essential items to avert hoarding and panic buying.

Food and water must be steadily available.

The DSWD, in coordination with local government units, should also be ready with relief packs, food, and water for distribution to the poorest of the poor.

As we seek cooperation from the people in making the curfew work we must also work double time to allay anxiety and make our citizens feel that the government is in control.



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In the light of the public health crisis brought about by COVID-19, we are appealing to corporations, banks, and private and government financial institutions to implement a moratorium on the imposition of penalties or similar charges on delayed payment of bills and other obligations.

We seek the compassion and goodwill of companies in making sure that there will be no service interruption, disconnections or penalties as a result of the unwanted delay in payment.

Everyone wants to settle his obligations on time.

However, this pandemic has brought unintended consequences that have affected the financial condition of the public, especially workers who are on no work-no pay scheme.

For those who have the means to pay, the last thing we want to see are kilometric queues in banks and payment centers beating the closing time in paying their bills.

This scenario would run counter to our efforts to implement social distancing and to as much as possible keep the people in their homes to avoid the exposure to the disease.

We urge concerned government agencies to flesh out the details of this proposed measure, such as the reasonable time when payments can be accommodated.

As the nation continues to grapple with the coronavirus, we will continue to seek for ways to ease the burden on the people and to ensure that their general welfare is protected.



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Minority senators call for special session for supplemental COVID budget

"In view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, we in the Minority call for a special session of Congress to pass a supplemental budget to address the pandemic and help affected Filipino households, workers, and businesses.

The supplemental budget should cover the test kits for massive testing; relief goods for the most vulnerable; additional health personnel, equipment (protective gear and hospital beds), and vitamins and medicine; cash support or basic income grant for the daily wage earners and the unemployed who don't have sick and vacation leaves; and subsidy or easy loans to help businesses, especially the micro and small ones, keep afloat during this period."



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As the "community quarantine" to address the COVID-19 threat starts, the Philippine National Police should exercise caution in handling the situation.

Republic Act 9271, the Quarantine Act of 2004 - replacing a very old Republic Act 123 of 1947 - is silent on the movements of persons in the streets as it only covers domestic and international seaports and airports.

Hence, law enforcement authorities may not be legally equipped to conduct arrest unless local ordinances are available for its enforcement.

For its part, Congress may need to amend R.A. 9271 to adopt to this new normal, the COVID-19, and God knows what else would come to hit us in the future. Hopefully we've seen the last of its kind even as we pray that cure will come sooner than soon.

Having said that, the people are enjoined to fully cooperate. After all, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures.



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Poor Filipinos, including those who will suffer income loss due to COVID-19, should receive P10,000 cash assistance, Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a statement on Sunday.

"Habang marami ang nagpa-panic-buying, mas marami ang panic na lang kasi walang pang-buy," she said, urging the government to free up funds for the poor and near-poor who will be affected by regulations to contain the virus.

Hontiveros estimates that at least 650,000 Filipino households will become the 'new poor' in Metro Manila alone due to the economic implications of the lockdown. "The government should immediately track down and extend PhP 10,000 assistance to these households which will mostly come from vulnerable contractual workers and workers in the informal economy," she said.

"The same cash assistance should also be immediately disbursed to poor households within the Department of Social Welfare and Development's [DSWD] household targeting system," she added.

Hontiveros explained that companies laying off workers and COVID-19's adverse effects on the informal economy will place households more at risk in terms of their food security and health. The Senator urged DSWD and the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] to craft and implement a comprehensive safety net for the poor and near-poor who will be adversely-affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, starting with the said cash assistance.

"This cash aid will keep Filipinos in poverty and near-poverty afloat during this COVID-19 crisis. It will help them cope with the expected inflation in goods due to the lockdown. In times of crisis, cashflow is crucial especially for poor Filipino families who need money for essential items like food, shelter, water, and medicine," Hontiveros explained.

"Sa maraming mawawalan ng cashflow, dapat magbigay-tulong ang gobyerno sa panggastos nila," she said. "This is a huge burden for our minimum-wage earners: sa mga tindero't tindera, mga jeepney and bus drivers, at iba pa na konting kalamidad lang ay nababaon na agad sa utang," she added.

According to Hontiveros, a family's loss of income will worsen their health status and will make them more at risk for COVID-19. "Sa mga manggagawa at mahihirap, mahirap gawin ang social distancing: dikit-dikit ang mga bahay at nagko-commute araw-araw. We need to help them minimize their risks through proper safety nets for their health and social protection," she pointed out.

Hontiveros said that DSWD, DOLE and local government units [LGUs] can access the calamity fund once a state of calamity is declared, either by the national government or the LGU. "In order to free up funds for this cash assistance, the national government or the respective local government units can declare a state of calamity. The COVID pandemic, without question, is a calamity," the senator advised.

"Let's minimize their risks now. Tulungan na agad natin ang mga Pilipinong isang hakbang lang ang layo sa lugmok ng kahirapan," Hontiveros concluded.



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Q: Ito po mga kapuso ang unang-unang Senador na nag quarantine, nasa linya na natin siya, kamustahin na rin ni Senator Win Gatchalian, Sherwin Gatchalian, siya po ang Chairman ng Education Committee syempre ng Senado at Vice Chairman, kung hindi ako nagkakamali ng Economic Affairs Committee, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian magandang umaga nandito po kayo sa programa ni Nimfa Ravelo, Dobol B Bantay sa Senado, Ako po si Weng.

SEN WIN: Good morning Weng, good morning sa ating mga listeners, magandang umaga po.

Q: Magandang umaga, maganda ang timbre ng boses niyo, kamusta po kayo?

SELF-QUARANTINE

SEN WIN: Wala naman akong sakit ano, at wala rin tayong nararamdaman, at ito ay ikaapat nating araw ko ng self-quarantine at wala naman tayong nararamdaman. Tayo sumusunod lang sa protocol sa patakaran na inilahad ng Department of Health na kung merong exposure sa may ganitong sakit sa COVID-19 eh automatic na dapat mag 14-day quarantine tayo sa loob ng ating bahay. So sumusunod tayo sa patakaran ng ating pamahalaan para hindi din tayo makahawa ng iba.

Q: Ibig-sabihin nakakaapat na araw pa lamang kayo, meron pang sampu Senator pero I think wala na kayong nararamdaman na ano mang sintomas sa katawan ninyo? Ni hindi sumasama yung pakiramdam ninyo? Tatapusin niyo pa rin yung 14 days na yan?

SEN WIN: Actually, na expose ako dito sa tao ng March 5, so ngayon po ang ika-sampung araw ko from March 5. So tatapusin ko lang ito hanggang March 19 pero nagpa-test na rin ho tayo noong Friday at kung malalaman po na negatibo po yung ating resulta pwede na ho natin ihinto itong self-quarantine natin.

SENADO

Q: Ayun, pero hindi pa rin kayo pwede magbalik sa public hearing sa mataas na kapulungan ng Kongreso dahil bawal ang mass gathering?

SEN WIN: Correct correct, hindi ho kami magkakaroon ng hearing until April 12 kung saan magtatapos ho itong Metro Manila community quarantine natin at pinagbabawal po ang hearing dahil ang hearing po pag nagkakaroon ho kami ng hearing talagang ang mga tao nangagaling po sa iba't-ibang parte ng ating bansa, lalo na ang Senado dahil ang Senado ang isang institution na pang nasyonal at ang ating mga resource persons no ay mangagaling talaga sa iba't-ibang probinsya, iba't-ibang larangan kaya ipinagmabuti na lang ng ating Senado na itigil muna nag hearing, suspendihin lahat ng hearing until matapos po itong Metro Manila community quarantine.

Q: Plus the fact na hindi malalaki ang kwarto sa kapulungan ng kongreso Sir?

SEN WIN: Tama, maliliit ang kwarto natin doon, talagang siksikan ang tao doon at kung isang hearing na malakihan o importante po ang paksa nagsisiksikan talaga ang tao doon kaya mahirap din mag-operate at mahirap magkaroon ng hearing dahil kung ipra-practice natin yung social distancing, ibig-sabihin malayo ho sa isa't-isa ang tao, eh talagang lalo mag sisiksikan at hindi po magkakasya ang tao.

Q: Good to hear Senator na wala kang sintomas, na mabuti ang inyong kalagayan, one last worry ika nga sa mataas na kapulungan ng kongreso, medyo marami-rami ho kayong mga naka self-quarantine mga Senador ano po, buti na lang nagkataon din na naka-recess nga po ang session ninyo?

SEN WIN: Oo nga at nagkataon na tayo ay naka-recess at nagkataon rin na bumaba na yung workload, yung trabaho ho sa Senado kaya marami tayong mga Senador na nag self-quarantine, Si Senator Nancy Binay dahil magkasama kami sa loob ng kwarto at yung ibang mga Senador na direkta nakasalamuha, nagboluntaryo na mag self-quarantine.

SUSPENSYON NG GRADUATION RITES

Q: Sir, ito naman, andun na tayo sa mas mabibigat na isyu at nakahinga na ng maluwag ang inyong mga constituents na maayos kayo, kayo po ay Chairman ng Basic Education Committee ng mataas na kapulungan ng Kongreso, mabigat po ang epekto sa edukasyon nitong community quarantine, isang buwan, lahat ng eskwelahan activities pati graduation inurong o kaya kinansela na, paano babawi yung mga estudyante natin doon sa mga araw na nawala bago yung graduation?

SEN WIN: Dapat maintindihan ng ating mga magulang ito pong nangyari sa ating bansa hindi ho natin inaasahan to at hindi naman ho natin na-predict o nasabi ng maaga na mangyayari ito o hindi. Hindi rin natin nakita na itong COVID-19 virus ay mabilis pala ang pagkalat, in fact, marami pa ring mga scientists, sa ngayon, ay pinag-aaralan pa rin ito at sa tingin nila ito na siguro ang virus na pinaka mabilis ang pagkalat. Kahit na hindi ito masasabi fatal o delikado dahil mababa ang kanilang mortality rate, pero yung pagkalat mabilis lalo na sa matatanda kaya dapat maintidihan ng ating mga magulang na itong pagsuspinde ng graduation ay para sa ikabubuti po ng lahat, lalo na pag graduation. Alam mo nakikita ko, nakita ko ito noong Mayor pa ko, ang pumupunta doon ang mga Lola at Lolo lalo na pag elementarya dahil tuwang-tuwa sila sa kanilang apo--

Q: Buong angkan Senator, buong angkan haha--

SEN WIN: Buong angkan pumupunta, in fact pinipigilan pa nga natin pumunta yung buong angkan pero ang graduation talaga ay isang malaking selebrasyon sa isang pamilya pero pag pupunta ang ating mga Lolo at Lola sa isang graduation at nagkataon na merong isa dun merong sakit na COVID-19, magiging problema yan dahil ito ay mabilis na kumakapit sa matatanda kaya tama na sinuspinde ng Department of Education ang graduation rites dahil hindi na natin malaman ngayon kung ano pwede mangyari doon kaya dapat ipagpaliban muna. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na kakanselahin to, ang sinasabi naman natin ito ay susupendihin hanggang ang sitwasyon maging normal.

Q: Pero sapat na tingin niyo ang one month para sa mga school activities na suspension?

ONLINE LEARNING

SEN WIN: Hindi natin masasabi to ngayon dahil ang sitwasyon ay nagbabago ng mabilis. Kagaya kahapon pagkita ko sa anunsyo ng Department of Health na umabot na ng 111 ang COVID-19 patients o victims sa ating bansa, kaya mabilis na nagbabago ang sitwasyon kaya yung one month ay safe na yun pero pagdating ng one month kung ang sitwasyon ay hindi pa ho naging maayos pwede pa ho to suspendihin hanggang maging normal na ang situwasyon ho natin. Pero ganunpaman dapat malaman di ng ating magulang na sa ganitong panahon dapat gumamit na tayo ng bagong teknolohiya para mapagpatuloy yung ating pag-aaral at dito ho pumapsok yung Department of Education dahil meron na ho silang mga sistema para yung tinatawag natin na distance learning o learning from home-- Yung online learning so ibig-sabihin yung kanilang mga exams, yung pagtuturo, yung mga notes nila pwede na nilang i-download sa kanilang telepono o kaya i-download sa kanilang computer at doon muna sila magbasa, doon na muna sila gumawa ng mga assignments at dito natin kakailanganin ang ating mga magulang dahil importante din yung mga magulang ang maging tutor ng ating mga estudyante sa kanilang mga tahanan. Kaya maganda na rin gamitin nating itong panahon para mag-aral, kayo po ay pinanatili sa inyong mga tahanan para turuan ang ang inyong mga anak para siguraduhing ang kanilang pag-aaral ay tuloy-tuloy.

Q: Siguro looking forward Senator, kailangan pa ba nating gumawa ng batas, maglaan ng dagdag na batas na pondo ang kongreso para doon sa distance learning? Alam ko meron nang batas diyan eh, yung mechanism at equipment tool para maipatupad itong mas malawak lalo na sa ganitong mga klaseng sitwasyon para talagang maipatupad?

SEN WIN: Sangayon hindi pa tayo naglalaan ng pondo dahil ito po ay parte ng mga sistema ng Department of Education pero kung kakailanganin po handa naman po ang Senado maglaan ng karagdagang pondo. Sa ngayon ang importante yung sistema, at narinig ko sa mga pahayag ng Department of Education na nakahanda na yung kanilang sistema sa pagbibigay ng online learning, ng distance learning at learning from home para po tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral. At uulitin ko no, mahalaga dito yung papel na gagampanan ng po ng ating mga magulang sa pagbibigay ng gabay, lalo na sa mga elementary students dahil kung pwede nilang i-guide yung kanilang mga anak, mas maganda ho yun dahil tuluyan na magkakaroon ng interaction ang kanilang kamag-anak pagdating po sa pagtuturo.

Q: Graduation, ang karamihan sa ating mga estudyante ngayon pero meron yung iba, continuous yung pagklaklase o kaya ibayo sinsunod na porma ng school year, paano po yung mga affected na ganun, paano natin sila pababawiin? May isang buwan na mawawala sa kanila? Kung hindi akma doon sa distance or online system ang kanilang paaralan?

SEN WIN: Sa mga pampublikong paaralan natin, narinig ko rin sa pahay ng Deparment of Education na gumagawa ko sila ng sistema para tignan yung mga grado at kung pwede nang ipasa, ipasa, for example kung ang grado mo ay maganda naman, puro 'A' ka, kasi ang natitira na lang is less than two weeks ng pag-aaral eh at tapos na ang pag-aaral, in fact ang pinaka kulang yung kanilang last examination, yung fourth quarter examination so ang ibig-sabihin ang gagawin ng formula ang Department of Education na kung ikaw naman ay pumasa sa three quarters or maganda yung grado mo, pwede ka na ipasa pero kung hindi maganda yung grado, yung bata kailangan pa ng tulong eh manatili yung bata hanggang matapos yung last two weeks ng pag-aaral. So gumagawa yung Department of Education ng formula para mapabilis, dahil ang importante ngayon ay mabilis po yung paggalaw ng Department of Education at naga-adjust tayo sa situwasyon ho ngayon.

Q: Basta hindi pwede Senator yung sinasabi na mungkahi na wag na tayo mag tara tara ng grado ipasa na talaga ang lahat?

SEN WIN: Hindi, mahirap naman yung ganun dahil merong mga tinatawag tayong mga non-readers o frustrated readers, ito yung mga nahihirapan magbasa o mababa talaga yung grado, kapag pinasa mo sila, mas mahihirapan sila sa susunod na baitang, sa sususnod na grade--

Q: At hindi mo rin tinutulungan yung estudyante pag ganun--

SEN WIN: Tama ka dun dahil ang gusto natin ipapasa natin yung mga estudyante na kaya na sa sususunod na baitang pero kung hindi nila kaya, kawawa naman yung bata dahil babagsak at babagsak ho yan at yun na nga yung ayaw natin. Kaya sa mga magulang natin, maging matyaga, pagtyagaan po muna natin itong sitwasyon na ito, maging patient po tayo dahil ang importante ho dito yung mga batang kakailanganin ng tulong, bigyan natin ng tulong, hindi natin sila matutulungan sa pamamagitan ng automatic passing, hindi natin sila matutulungan doon, lalo lang sila mahihirapan.

TRABAHO AT EKONOMIYA

Q: Sir ito naman, alam ko kayo din ay isang ekonomista ang pagiisip ang dami pong nangangambang manggagawa doon sa kanilang kalagayan sa loob ng isang buwan na naka community quarantine tayo, meron mga negosyo na naglimita ng operating hours o kaya naman pati yung kanilang production dahil limited na talaga yung kanilang kakayanan eh syempre ang dami pong manggagawa na mawawalan ng hanapbuhay, yung mga casuals pwedeng walang trabaho walang sweldo? Edi lalo po natin ibinagsak ang kabuhayan nila, ano ang idea ninyo para matulungan ang ganitong sektor po natin?

SEN WIN: idi-divide ko to sa tatlo para maging klaro para sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang dapat gawin ng ating pamahalaan. Unang-una yung government sector dahil almost two million ang nagtratrabaho sa government sector, kasama na diyan yung mga guro natin, sa ehekutibo, pulis, sundalo at pinaka mahalaga, yung job order kasi yung job order, araw-araw pumipirma ng daily time sheet, ito yung pagapsok nila pirpirma sila doon at kung hindi sila pumasok, wala silang pipirmahan, wala silang sweldo. Kaya ang importante ngayon, maging malinaw na manggaling sa ating pamahalaan, pati yung mga job order ay dapat bigyan ng sweldo at pati yung mga may job order ay dapat bigyan ng tamang benepisyo. For example kami sa Senate, work from home kami, tuloy-tuloy yung aming trabaho pero yung mga janitor, yung mga cleaner namin na daily yung kanilang pagpasok ay dapat wag putulin yung kanilang sweldo dahil mahihirapan talaga sila.

Q: Nakapag-render man o hindi ng serbisyo?

SEN WIN: Correct, at kung ano po ang aming sitwasyon dapat sitwasyon rin ho nila. Although syempre work from home hindi maa-apply sakanila dahil wala naman silang malilinis pero as a humanitarian consideration dapat pasweldohin rin sila. So yun po yung sa government sector.

Pangalawa po isang industriya, sektor na tatamaan ho talaga ay yung tourism, yung airlines, yung hotel at yung iba pang mga tourism-related businesses especially ho yung mga maliliit, for example, yung tour guide, yung bangkero, yung driver po ng van, yung tourist van, ito po ay importante na ma-identify ho natin at mabigyan po ng tulong direkta. Karamihan, ito ay tawag sa informal economy pero importante rin na mabigyan din ng tulong ng Department of Labor sa pamamagitan po ng unemployment financial assistance. So ma-identify natin yan at mabigyan natin ng kaagad ng financial assistance.

Q: Paano po masusukat yung financial assistance na mabibigay sa sektor na ito, Senator?

SEN WIN: For example, ito ay isa sa mga mungkahi natin, for example ako ay tour guide at dahil nga wala nang pumupuntang turista dahil by today wala nang domestic travel, wala nang pupunta sa Intramuros at mag tu-tour doon, dapat ma-identify natin itong mga taong to at mabigyan natin ng financial assistance dahil mawawalan sila ng mawawalan ng trabaho eh at karamihan sa mga ito ay daily yung kanilang kita.

Q: Ang magbibigay ng kanilang sweldo diyan ay ang gobyerno pa rin po?

SEN WIN: Ang gobyerno, meron pa rin tayong mga unemployment assistance na binigibigay sa ganitong panahon at dapat ma-identify ito ng Department of Tourism at Department of Labor para matulungan natin sila. So yun ang pangalawa, yung pangatlo, doon sa mga kumpanya na magda-downsize, dahil maraming kumpanya--

Q: Mga mag le-layoff ng empleyado--

SEN WIN: Oo, mag le-layoff ng empleyado o magda-downsize, alam ko marami sa mga airline ngayon ay nag fo-forced leave. Sabi nila sa kanilang mga flght attendants, halimbawa today, wala nang domestic travel eh, dapat wala nang domestic travel no, ayon sa pahayag ng ating pangulo, marami sa mga airport employees nila, flight attendants, ay pinapa forced leave. Yung forced leave typically meron sweldo yan hanggang 30 days, pero after 30 days, wala nang salary ho yan, so dito ulit papasok ang ating pamahalaan para tulungan itong mga empleyadong to dahil hindi naman ho pwedeng hindi sila sumweldo for the next 30 days, importante na meron silang sweldo--

Q: In form of financial assistance din or loan?

SEN WIN: In terms of financial assistance at pangalawa kung meron ho silang mga loan sa SSS, suspendihin muna nila yung pagkokolekta ng loan.

Q: So prino-propose niyo po na parang sa Australia, mag-suspend muna tayo ng paniningil ng loan, halimbawa sa financial institution kagaya ng SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG at iba pa?

SEN WIN: Correct, doon sa pribadong sektor, sa private companies na mag fo-forced leave more than 30 days at hindi sila makakasweldo dapat ang SSS mag suspend muna ng kanilang koleksyon, wag munang maningil ng loan, ng contribution at yung loan payment at yung PAG-IBIG, kung meorn kang housing loan sa PAG-IBIG, suspendihin na rin muna. So ito mga tulong na maibibigay natin kung itong mga kababayan natin ay walang sweldo makukuha dahil naka forced leave sila o pina-leave muna sila ng mga kumpanya nila.

Q: Kakayanin ba ng gobyerno yun Sir?

SEN WIN: Kakayanin naman, in fact, hindi naman natin inaasahan yung mga ganito, so in the short-term and medium-term, kaya, wag lang sana ito ay humaba, dahil kung ito ay humaba, doon tayo magkakaroon ng problema sa pondo. Pero kung short-term, halimbawa, 30 days to 90 days, kakayanin naman ito ng ating gobyerno. Hindi naman kasi natin inaasahan to na system-wide, ibig-sabihin by Monday, meron pa rin namang magtratrabaho, marami naka work from home, marami akong nakausap kagaya ng Ayala Energy, kausap ko yung kanilang Presidente, si Mr. Francia, from home sila, so ibig-sabihin, may sweldo naman sila hindi lang pinapapasok sa kanilang opisina.

Q: Senator manatili po kayong healthy, maraming Salamat ho sa oras ah, ingat po.

SEN WIN: Sa ating mga kababayan, mag-cooperate po tayo, ito pong panawagan ko sa kanila, mag-cooperate po tayo dahil para sa kabutihan nating lahat. Wag na nating hintayin mahuli, masita tayo, tayo mismo bilang mamayanan ng ating bansa eh mag-cooperate tayo, bigyan ho natin ang ating kooperasyon para po sa kabutihan ng bawat isa.

Q: Ito po mga kapuso ang unang-unang Senador na nag quarantine, nasa linya na natin siya, kamustahin na rin ni Senator Win Gatchalian, Sherwin Gatchalian, siya po ang Chairman ng Education Committee syempre ng Senado at Vice Chairman, kung hindi ako nagkakamali ng Economic Affairs Committee, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian magandang umaga nandito po kayo sa programa ni Nimfa Ravelo, Dobol B Bantay sa Senado, Ako po si Weng.

SEN WIN: Good morning Weng, good morning sa ating mga listeners, magandang umaga po.

Q: Magandang umaga, maganda ang timbre ng boses niyo, kamusta po kayo?

SELF-QUARANTINE

SEN WIN: Wala naman akong sakit ano, at wala rin tayong nararamdaman, at ito ay ikaapat nating araw ko ng self-quarantine at wala naman tayong nararamdaman. Tayo sumusunod lang sa protocol sa patakaran na inilahad ng Department of Health na kung merong exposure sa may ganitong sakit sa COVID-19 eh automatic na dapat mag 14-day quarantine tayo sa loob ng ating bahay. So sumusunod tayo sa patakaran ng ating pamahalaan para hindi din tayo makahawa ng iba.

Q: Ibig-sabihin nakakaapat na araw pa lamang kayo, meron pang sampu Senator pero I think wala na kayong nararamdaman na ano mang sintomas sa katawan ninyo? Ni hindi sumasama yung pakiramdam ninyo? Tatapusin niyo pa rin yung 14 days na yan?

SEN WIN: Actually, na expose ako dito sa tao ng March 5, so ngayon po ang ika-sampung araw ko from March 5. So tatapusin ko lang ito hanggang March 19 pero nagpa-test na rin ho tayo noong Friday at kung malalaman po na negatibo po yung ating resulta pwede na ho natin ihinto itong self-quarantine natin.

SENADO

Q: Ayun, pero hindi pa rin kayo pwede magbalik sa public hearing sa mataas na kapulungan ng Kongreso dahil bawal ang mass gathering?

SEN WIN: Correct correct, hindi ho kami magkakaroon ng hearing until April 12 kung saan magtatapos ho itong Metro Manila community quarantine natin at pinagbabawal po ang hearing dahil ang hearing po pag nagkakaroon ho kami ng hearing talagang ang mga tao nangagaling po sa iba't-ibang parte ng ating bansa, lalo na ang Senado dahil ang Senado ang isang institution na pang nasyonal at ang ating mga resource persons no ay mangagaling talaga sa iba't-ibang probinsya, iba't-ibang larangan kaya ipinagmabuti na lang ng ating Senado na itigil muna nag hearing, suspendihin lahat ng hearing until matapos po itong Metro Manila community quarantine.

Q: Plus the fact na hindi malalaki ang kwarto sa kapulungan ng kongreso Sir?

SEN WIN: Tama, maliliit ang kwarto natin doon, talagang siksikan ang tao doon at kung isang hearing na malakihan o importante po ang paksa nagsisiksikan talaga ang tao doon kaya mahirap din mag-operate at mahirap magkaroon ng hearing dahil kung ipra-practice natin yung social distancing, ibig-sabihin malayo ho sa isa't-isa ang tao, eh talagang lalo mag sisiksikan at hindi po magkakasya ang tao.

Q: Good to hear Senator na wala kang sintomas, na mabuti ang inyong kalagayan, one last worry ika nga sa mataas na kapulungan ng kongreso, medyo marami-rami ho kayong mga naka self-quarantine mga Senador ano po, buti na lang nagkataon din na naka-recess nga po ang session ninyo?

SEN WIN: Oo nga at nagkataon na tayo ay naka-recess at nagkataon rin na bumaba na yung workload, yung trabaho ho sa Senado kaya marami tayong mga Senador na nag self-quarantine, Si Senator Nancy Binay dahil magkasama kami sa loob ng kwarto at yung ibang mga Senador na direkta nakasalamuha, nagboluntaryo na mag self-quarantine.

SUSPENSYON NG GRADUATION RITES

Q: Sir, ito naman, andun na tayo sa mas mabibigat na isyu at nakahinga na ng maluwag ang inyong mga constituents na maayos kayo, kayo po ay Chairman ng Basic Education Committee ng mataas na kapulungan ng Kongreso, mabigat po ang epekto sa edukasyon nitong community quarantine, isang buwan, lahat ng eskwelahan activities pati graduation inurong o kaya kinansela na, paano babawi yung mga estudyante natin doon sa mga araw na nawala bago yung graduation?

SEN WIN: Dapat maintindihan ng ating mga magulang ito pong nangyari sa ating bansa hindi ho natin inaasahan to at hindi naman ho natin na-predict o nasabi ng maaga na mangyayari ito o hindi. Hindi rin natin nakita na itong COVID-19 virus ay mabilis pala ang pagkalat, in fact, marami pa ring mga scientists, sa ngayon, ay pinag-aaralan pa rin ito at sa tingin nila ito na siguro ang virus na pinaka mabilis ang pagkalat. Kahit na hindi ito masasabi fatal o delikado dahil mababa ang kanilang mortality rate, pero yung pagkalat mabilis lalo na sa matatanda kaya dapat maintidihan ng ating mga magulang na itong pagsuspinde ng graduation ay para sa ikabubuti po ng lahat, lalo na pag graduation. Alam mo nakikita ko, nakita ko ito noong Mayor pa ko, ang pumupunta doon ang mga Lola at Lolo lalo na pag elementarya dahil tuwang-tuwa sila sa kanilang apo--

Q: Buong angkan Senator, buong angkan haha--

SEN WIN: Buong angkan pumupunta, in fact pinipigilan pa nga natin pumunta yung buong angkan pero ang graduation talaga ay isang malaking selebrasyon sa isang pamilya pero pag pupunta ang ating mga Lolo at Lola sa isang graduation at nagkataon na merong isa dun merong sakit na COVID-19, magiging problema yan dahil ito ay mabilis na kumakapit sa matatanda kaya tama na sinuspinde ng Department of Education ang graduation rites dahil hindi na natin malaman ngayon kung ano pwede mangyari doon kaya dapat ipagpaliban muna. Hindi naman natin sinasabi na kakanselahin to, ang sinasabi naman natin ito ay susupendihin hanggang ang sitwasyon maging normal.

Q: Pero sapat na tingin niyo ang one month para sa mga school activities na suspension?

ONLINE LEARNING

SEN WIN: Hindi natin masasabi to ngayon dahil ang sitwasyon ay nagbabago ng mabilis. Kagaya kahapon pagkita ko sa anunsyo ng Department of Health na umabot na ng 111 ang COVID-19 patients o victims sa ating bansa, kaya mabilis na nagbabago ang sitwasyon kaya yung one month ay safe na yun pero pagdating ng one month kung ang sitwasyon ay hindi pa ho naging maayos pwede pa ho to suspendihin hanggang maging normal na ang situwasyon ho natin. Pero ganunpaman dapat malaman di ng ating magulang na sa ganitong panahon dapat gumamit na tayo ng bagong teknolohiya para mapagpatuloy yung ating pag-aaral at dito ho pumapsok yung Department of Education dahil meron na ho silang mga sistema para yung tinatawag natin na distance learning o learning from home-- Yung online learning so ibig-sabihin yung kanilang mga exams, yung pagtuturo, yung mga notes nila pwede na nilang i-download sa kanilang telepono o kaya i-download sa kanilang computer at doon muna sila magbasa, doon na muna sila gumawa ng mga assignments at dito natin kakailanganin ang ating mga magulang dahil importante din yung mga magulang ang maging tutor ng ating mga estudyante sa kanilang mga tahanan. Kaya maganda na rin gamitin nating itong panahon para mag-aral, kayo po ay pinanatili sa inyong mga tahanan para turuan ang ang inyong mga anak para siguraduhing ang kanilang pag-aaral ay tuloy-tuloy.

Q: Siguro looking forward Senator, kailangan pa ba nating gumawa ng batas, maglaan ng dagdag na batas na pondo ang kongreso para doon sa distance learning? Alam ko meron nang batas diyan eh, yung mechanism at equipment tool para maipatupad itong mas malawak lalo na sa ganitong mga klaseng sitwasyon para talagang maipatupad?

SEN WIN: Sangayon hindi pa tayo naglalaan ng pondo dahil ito po ay parte ng mga sistema ng Department of Education pero kung kakailanganin po handa naman po ang Senado maglaan ng karagdagang pondo. Sa ngayon ang importante yung sistema, at narinig ko sa mga pahayag ng Department of Education na nakahanda na yung kanilang sistema sa pagbibigay ng online learning, ng distance learning at learning from home para po tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral. At uulitin ko no, mahalaga dito yung papel na gagampanan ng po ng ating mga magulang sa pagbibigay ng gabay, lalo na sa mga elementary students dahil kung pwede nilang i-guide yung kanilang mga anak, mas maganda ho yun dahil tuluyan na magkakaroon ng interaction ang kanilang kamag-anak pagdating po sa pagtuturo.

Q: Graduation, ang karamihan sa ating mga estudyante ngayon pero meron yung iba, continuous yung pagklaklase o kaya ibayo sinsunod na porma ng school year, paano po yung mga affected na ganun, paano natin sila pababawiin? May isang buwan na mawawala sa kanila? Kung hindi akma doon sa distance or online system ang kanilang paaralan?

SEN WIN: Sa mga pampublikong paaralan natin, narinig ko rin sa pahay ng Deparment of Education na gumagawa ko sila ng sistema para tignan yung mga grado at kung pwede nang ipasa, ipasa, for example kung ang grado mo ay maganda naman, puro 'A' ka, kasi ang natitira na lang is less than two weeks ng pag-aaral eh at tapos na ang pag-aaral, in fact ang pinaka kulang yung kanilang last examination, yung fourth quarter examination so ang ibig-sabihin ang gagawin ng formula ang Department of Education na kung ikaw naman ay pumasa sa three quarters or maganda yung grado mo, pwede ka na ipasa pero kung hindi maganda yung grado, yung bata kailangan pa ng tulong eh manatili yung bata hanggang matapos yung last two weeks ng pag-aaral. So gumagawa yung Department of Education ng formula para mapabilis, dahil ang importante ngayon ay mabilis po yung paggalaw ng Department of Education at naga-adjust tayo sa situwasyon ho ngayon.

Q: Basta hindi pwede Senator yung sinasabi na mungkahi na wag na tayo mag tara tara ng grado ipasa na talaga ang lahat?

SEN WIN: Hindi, mahirap naman yung ganun dahil merong mga tinatawag tayong mga non-readers o frustrated readers, ito yung mga nahihirapan magbasa o mababa talaga yung grado, kapag pinasa mo sila, mas mahihirapan sila sa susunod na baitang, sa sususnod na grade--

Q: At hindi mo rin tinutulungan yung estudyante pag ganun--

SEN WIN: Tama ka dun dahil ang gusto natin ipapasa natin yung mga estudyante na kaya na sa sususunod na baitang pero kung hindi nila kaya, kawawa naman yung bata dahil babagsak at babagsak ho yan at yun na nga yung ayaw natin. Kaya sa mga magulang natin, maging matyaga, pagtyagaan po muna natin itong sitwasyon na ito, maging patient po tayo dahil ang importante ho dito yung mga batang kakailanganin ng tulong, bigyan natin ng tulong, hindi natin sila matutulungan sa pamamagitan ng automatic passing, hindi natin sila matutulungan doon, lalo lang sila mahihirapan.

TRABAHO AT EKONOMIYA

Q: Sir ito naman, alam ko kayo din ay isang ekonomista ang pagiisip ang dami pong nangangambang manggagawa doon sa kanilang kalagayan sa loob ng isang buwan na naka community quarantine tayo, meron mga negosyo na naglimita ng operating hours o kaya naman pati yung kanilang production dahil limited na talaga yung kanilang kakayanan eh syempre ang dami pong manggagawa na mawawalan ng hanapbuhay, yung mga casuals pwedeng walang trabaho walang sweldo? Edi lalo po natin ibinagsak ang kabuhayan nila, ano ang idea ninyo para matulungan ang ganitong sektor po natin?

SEN WIN: idi-divide ko to sa tatlo para maging klaro para sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang dapat gawin ng ating pamahalaan. Unang-una yung government sector dahil almost two million ang nagtratrabaho sa government sector, kasama na diyan yung mga guro natin, sa ehekutibo, pulis, sundalo at pinaka mahalaga, yung job order kasi yung job order, araw-araw pumipirma ng daily time sheet, ito yung pagapsok nila pirpirma sila doon at kung hindi sila pumasok, wala silang pipirmahan, wala silang sweldo. Kaya ang importante ngayon, maging malinaw na manggaling sa ating pamahalaan, pati yung mga job order ay dapat bigyan ng sweldo at pati yung mga may job order ay dapat bigyan ng tamang benepisyo. For example kami sa Senate, work from home kami, tuloy-tuloy yung aming trabaho pero yung mga janitor, yung mga cleaner namin na daily yung kanilang pagpasok ay dapat wag putulin yung kanilang sweldo dahil mahihirapan talaga sila.

Q: Nakapag-render man o hindi ng serbisyo?

SEN WIN: Correct, at kung ano po ang aming sitwasyon dapat sitwasyon rin ho nila. Although syempre work from home hindi maa-apply sakanila dahil wala naman silang malilinis pero as a humanitarian consideration dapat pasweldohin rin sila. So yun po yung sa government sector.

Pangalawa po isang industriya, sektor na tatamaan ho talaga ay yung tourism, yung airlines, yung hotel at yung iba pang mga tourism-related businesses especially ho yung mga maliliit, for example, yung tour guide, yung bangkero, yung driver po ng van, yung tourist van, ito po ay importante na ma-identify ho natin at mabigyan po ng tulong direkta. Karamihan, ito ay tawag sa informal economy pero importante rin na mabigyan din ng tulong ng Department of Labor sa pamamagitan po ng unemployment financial assistance. So ma-identify natin yan at mabigyan natin ng kaagad ng financial assistance.

Q: Paano po masusukat yung financial assistance na mabibigay sa sektor na ito, Senator?

SEN WIN: For example, ito ay isa sa mga mungkahi natin, for example ako ay tour guide at dahil nga wala nang pumupuntang turista dahil by today wala nang domestic travel, wala nang pupunta sa Intramuros at mag tu-tour doon, dapat ma-identify natin itong mga taong to at mabigyan natin ng financial assistance dahil mawawalan sila ng mawawalan ng trabaho eh at karamihan sa mga ito ay daily yung kanilang kita.

Q: Ang magbibigay ng kanilang sweldo diyan ay ang gobyerno pa rin po?

SEN WIN: Ang gobyerno, meron pa rin tayong mga unemployment assistance na binigibigay sa ganitong panahon at dapat ma-identify ito ng Department of Tourism at Department of Labor para matulungan natin sila. So yun ang pangalawa, yung pangatlo, doon sa mga kumpanya na magda-downsize, dahil maraming kumpanya--

Q: Mga mag le-layoff ng empleyado--

SEN WIN: Oo, mag le-layoff ng empleyado o magda-downsize, alam ko marami sa mga airline ngayon ay nag fo-forced leave. Sabi nila sa kanilang mga flght attendants, halimbawa today, wala nang domestic travel eh, dapat wala nang domestic travel no, ayon sa pahayag ng ating pangulo, marami sa mga airport employees nila, flight attendants, ay pinapa forced leave. Yung forced leave typically meron sweldo yan hanggang 30 days, pero after 30 days, wala nang salary ho yan, so dito ulit papasok ang ating pamahalaan para tulungan itong mga empleyadong to dahil hindi naman ho pwedeng hindi sila sumweldo for the next 30 days, importante na meron silang sweldo--

Q: In form of financial assistance din or loan?

SEN WIN: In terms of financial assistance at pangalawa kung meron ho silang mga loan sa SSS, suspendihin muna nila yung pagkokolekta ng loan.

Q: So prino-propose niyo po na parang sa Australia, mag-suspend muna tayo ng paniningil ng loan, halimbawa sa financial institution kagaya ng SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG at iba pa?

SEN WIN: Correct, doon sa pribadong sektor, sa private companies na mag fo-forced leave more than 30 days at hindi sila makakasweldo dapat ang SSS mag suspend muna ng kanilang koleksyon, wag munang maningil ng loan, ng contribution at yung loan payment at yung PAG-IBIG, kung meorn kang housing loan sa PAG-IBIG, suspendihin na rin muna. So ito mga tulong na maibibigay natin kung itong mga kababayan natin ay walang sweldo makukuha dahil naka forced leave sila o pina-leave muna sila ng mga kumpanya nila.

Q: Kakayanin ba ng gobyerno yun Sir?

SEN WIN: Kakayanin naman, in fact, hindi naman natin inaasahan yung mga ganito, so in the short-term and medium-term, kaya, wag lang sana ito ay humaba, dahil kung ito ay humaba, doon tayo magkakaroon ng problema sa pondo. Pero kung short-term, halimbawa, 30 days to 90 days, kakayanin naman ito ng ating gobyerno. Hindi naman kasi natin inaasahan to na system-wide, ibig-sabihin by Monday, meron pa rin namang magtratrabaho, marami naka work from home, marami akong nakausap kagaya ng Ayala Energy, kausap ko yung kanilang Presidente, si Mr. Francia, from home sila, so ibig-sabihin, may sweldo naman sila hindi lang pinapapasok sa kanilang opisina.

Q: Senator manatili po kayong healthy, maraming Salamat ho sa oras ah, ingat po.

SEN WIN: Sa ating mga kababayan, mag-cooperate po tayo, ito pong panawagan ko sa kanila, mag-cooperate po tayo dahil para sa kabutihan nating lahat. Wag na nating hintayin mahuli, masita tayo, tayo mismo bilang mamayanan ng ating bansa eh mag-cooperate tayo, bigyan ho natin ang ating kooperasyon para po sa kabutihan ng bawat isa.



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3/15/20

Nagsimula na po ang pagpapatupad ng "community quarantine" sa buong Kamaynilaan, kung saan lilimitahan ang pagbiyahe papunta at palabas ng National Capital Region (NCR). Bagamat hindi ako ganap na kumbinsido na ito ang nararapat na lunas, wala naman siguro tayong magawa ngayon kundi sundin ito at umasa na ang hakbang na ito ay maging mabisa at matagumpay.

Malinaw na nagpabaya noong una ang pamahalaan sa hindi kaagad pagpapatupad ng entry ban at quarantine sa mga galing Tsina. Bakit? Takot na magdamdam o magalit ang pinuno ng Tsina. May oras ang pagpapanagot.

Samantala, nandyan na ang krisis sa biglaang paglobo ng numero sa mga positibo sa virus at may mga namamatay na ngang mga kababayan natin. Harapin natin ito nang buong pag-asa, tapang at dangal.

Tinatawagan po ang lahat na mag-ingat at maging kalmado, makinig sa mga ulat, at makiisa sa mga awtoridad.

Nananawagan tayo sa kinauukulan: Siguraduhin na makatwiran at makatarungan ang mga hakbang at gawing matiwasay at walang pagmamalabis sa pagpapatupad ng mga ito. Tiyakin na walang karapatang pantao ang malalabag. Dapat maging mas handa, mas madalas, mas maayos at tama ang paghahatid ng impormasyon para maiwasan ang kalituhan, dagdag na pangamba, at pagkalat ng mga maling balita. Isaalang-alang ang karapatang pantao ng bawat isa lalo na ang mga manggagawa at huwag idaan sa pananakot at karahasan ang pagpapasunod sa mga patakaran.

Kung paanong nagiging laman ng balita ang naapektuhan na at ang mga personalidad na nagsasagawa ng "self-quarantine," huwag din nating kalimutang maglatag ng programa para tulungan ang mga maralitang Pilipino na maliban sa banta ng coronavirus ay matagal nang iniinda ang kahirapan, kakulangan sa lingap medikal at iba pang serbisyong panlipunan.

We recognize that millions of Filipinos do not have the capability of doing telecommuting or work-from-home, that is why I plead with employers to put the safety and welfare of their workers first and foremost. Employers should be motivated to allow flexible work hours and paid leaves to their workers.

Alalahanin natin ang mga araw-araw na dinadanas ang kalbaryo ng siksikan at trapik sa pag-commute. Huwag din tayong bumili nang sobra sa kailangan. Ang bawat alcohol at bitamina na iniimbak lang sa bahay ay maaaring makapagligtas ng maraming buhay.

We are in extraordinary times, but as always, we Filipinos will time and again prove that we are a resilient people, and that we can withstand any challenge. Yes, COVID-19 presents a real danger to us all, and we can only survive it if and when we prove that our humanity is stronger than the pandemic and our care for each other spreads faster than the virus.

Walang imposible sa bayanihan ng Pilipino. Mag-ingat, magdasal, at malalampasan din natin ito. ###



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3/15/20

Nagsimula na po ang pagpapatupad ng "community quarantine" sa buong Kamaynilaan, kung saan lilimitahan ang pagbiyahe papunta at palabas ng National Capital Region (NCR). Bagamat hindi ako ganap na kumbinsido na ito ang nararapat na lunas, wala naman siguro tayong magawa ngayon kundi sundin ito at umasa na ang hakbang na ito ay maging mabisa at matagumpay.

Malinaw na nagpabaya noong una ang pamahalaan sa hindi kaagad pagpapatupad ng entry ban at quarantine sa mga galing Tsina. Bakit? Takot na magdamdam o magalit ang pinuno ng Tsina. May oras ang pagpapanagot.

Samantala, nandyan na ang krisis sa biglaang paglobo ng numero sa mga positibo sa virus at may mga namamatay na ngang mga kababayan natin. Harapin natin ito nang buong pag-asa, tapang at dangal.

Tinatawagan po ang lahat na mag-ingat at maging kalmado, makinig sa mga ulat, at makiisa sa mga awtoridad.

Nananawagan tayo sa kinauukulan: Siguraduhin na makatwiran at makatarungan ang mga hakbang at gawing matiwasay at walang pagmamalabis sa pagpapatupad ng mga ito. Tiyakin na walang karapatang pantao ang malalabag. Dapat maging mas handa, mas madalas, mas maayos at tama ang paghahatid ng impormasyon para maiwasan ang kalituhan, dagdag na pangamba, at pagkalat ng mga maling balita. Isaalang-alang ang karapatang pantao ng bawat isa lalo na ang mga manggagawa at huwag idaan sa pananakot at karahasan ang pagpapasunod sa mga patakaran.

Kung paanong nagiging laman ng balita ang naapektuhan na at ang mga personalidad na nagsasagawa ng "self-quarantine," huwag din nating kalimutang maglatag ng programa para tulungan ang mga maralitang Pilipino na maliban sa banta ng coronavirus ay matagal nang iniinda ang kahirapan, kakulangan sa lingap medikal at iba pang serbisyong panlipunan.

We recognize that millions of Filipinos do not have the capability of doing telecommuting or work-from-home, that is why I plead with employers to put the safety and welfare of their workers first and foremost. Employers should be motivated to allow flexible work hours and paid leaves to their workers.

Alalahanin natin ang mga araw-araw na dinadanas ang kalbaryo ng siksikan at trapik sa pag-commute. Huwag din tayong bumili nang sobra sa kailangan. Ang bawat alcohol at bitamina na iniimbak lang sa bahay ay maaaring makapagligtas ng maraming buhay.

We are in extraordinary times, but as always, we Filipinos will time and again prove that we are a resilient people, and that we can withstand any challenge. Yes, COVID-19 presents a real danger to us all, and we can only survive it if and when we prove that our humanity is stronger than the pandemic and our care for each other spreads faster than the virus.

Walang imposible sa bayanihan ng Pilipino. Mag-ingat, magdasal, at malalampasan din natin ito. ###



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Senator Sonny Angara called on the concerned government agencies to immediately clarify the reports about mall closures during the one month community quarantine period for Metro Manila considering the impact this will have on hundreds of thousands of employees.

"While we understand the need to act swiftly and decisively when it comes to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the country, we should also consider the impacts of these actions on the public, particularly those who rely on daily wages to make ends meet," Angara said.

Angara aired his concern about the reported mall closures, which would have a profound effect on the lives of an estimated 700,000 employees, especially the sales clerks.

"Para sa daan libo nating mga kababayan na pumapasok araw araw sa mga malls, na tumatanggap ng halos sakto lang na sahod para sa kanilang pang araw araw na gastusin, na no work-no pay ang sitwasyon, ang pagsasara ng isang buwan ng mga mall ay magdudulot ng malaking pinsala na posibleng daig pa sa dala ng COVID-19," Angara said.

This early, Angara is asking the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide all available remedies to the situation being faced by the employees affected by the outbreak of the disease in the country.

Under the 2020 General Appropriations Act, Angara noted that DOLE has P6.787 billion for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD and P112.618 million for its Adjustment Measures Program (AMP).

TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

The AMP, on the other hand, provides displaced workers with a package of assistance and interventions, including financial aid, employment facilitation and training and livelihood.

"This is a good time as any for DOLE to use that budget for emergency employment for our kababayans whose livelihood opportunities will suffer," Angara said.

In his address to the nation last Thursday night, President Duterte said a National Capital Region-wide community quarantine is being implemented to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the country.

While schools and work in government will be suspended, the President encouraged all manufacturing, retail and service establishments to continue operating.

DOLE, in its Labor Advisory No. 11 issued last March 14, 2020, reiterated the President's pronouncement, saying : "All manufacturing, retail and service establishments are advised to remain in operation during the community quarantine period."

Earlier, Angara called on the DOLE and Department of Trade and Industry to conduct an inventory of all the companies that are being affected by COVID-19 and see what can be done to assist them in surviving the effects of the pandemic.

The pandemic has led to a global slowdown in economic activity and consequently, several multinational firms have implemented cost-cutting measures such as mass lay-offs or retrenchments.



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"Siguruhin ang food supply sa mga ma-lo-lockdown, lalung-lalo na mga daily wage earners, yung mga no-work-no-pay.

Kaya inuulit natin ang panawagan na relief assistance para sa mga construction workers, jeepney/padyak/van/tricycle/Angkas driver, sidewalk vendor, etc. Wala pang lockdown, sila na yung hindi sapat at masustansya ang pagkain. Kapag hindi pumasok, walang sahod. 70% ng kanilang sinasahod, napupunta sa pagkain. At pag wala silang sinasahod, gutom. At pag gutom, mas mahina at magkakasakit.

Ginagawa naman natin yan kapag mayroong kalamidad, pag may baha, pag may bagyo. Dapat gawin natin ngayon dahil malaking kalamidad din ito. Public emergency ang pagkalat ng COVID-19.

Hindi pa nga natin ito nararanasan pero isipin na lang natin na parang super typhoon ang COVID-19, pinapahupa natin ang paghagupit niya nang isang buwan para hindi marami ang masalanta.

Samantala, siguraduhin din natin ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng pinaka vulnerable, kasama na ang mga nasa frontline: ang mga doktor, nurse, medtech, at maging ang mga nasa food transport industry at mga nasa media."



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The government should immediately release funds on standby to stem the growing panic among ordinary wage earners in industries most affected by the Covid-19 scare, Senator Imee Marcos said.

Marcos, who heads the Senate economic affairs committee, said that funds marked "for later release" can be used to augment the "inadequate" P140 million in emergency funds of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and can be sourced from the Department of Budget and Management and other national agencies.

"Kahit pantawid-gutom man lang, kailangan ng compensatory packages ang mga ordinaryong wage earners na talagang mawawalan ng trabaho habang umaaligid pa itong Covid-19," Marcos said.

Marcos explained that only 7,000 workers will benefit from the DOLE's emergency funds if each receives P20,000 in aid, citing that more than twice the number of workers face lay-offs in the garment exports sector alone.

The Philippine garment export industry has about 300,000 direct hires, with some companies already implementing "temporary forced leaves" on 5 percent to 10 percent of their workforce due to an unreliable supply of materials caused by a manufacturing slowdown in China.

Marcos also said a projected downturn of 1.4 million tourist arrivals up to June may put 30,000 to 50,000 employees out of work, based on data from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

Marcos called on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to rethink its marketing strategy of promoting domestic tourism to take up the slack in foreign tourists.

"Hindi na uubra yan. Naka-imposed na ang community quarantine sa buong Metro Manila at maari pa itong tumagal at lumawak sa buong bansa kung lumala ang paglaganap ng Covid-19," Marcos said.

Marcos added that the DOT should instead redirect funds allotted for marketing abroad to cushion retrenchment and loss of income.

The Asian Development Bank estimates some 252,000 jobs may be lost in factories, economic zones, tourism, and among OFWs unable to leave the country, Marcos said.

Marcos appealed to NEDA and the Department of Finance not to understate its numbers, so that President Duterte can decide on emergency aid and stimulus packages that are truly responsive to the magnitude of the Covid-19 threat.

"Hindi magandang mag-plano sa magandang scenario. Mas magandang mag-plano sa worst-case,"



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The shortage of health workers nationwide will have serious implications on the health of Filipinos especially at this critical stage of public health emergency brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This is a concern that Senator Win Gatchalian raised following infections of 132,000 worldwide, including 64 cases from the Philippines.

To emphasize this alarming shortage, Gatchalian cited figures that the Department of Health (DOH) shared in a Senate public hearing on medical scholarships. According to Dr. Pretchell Tolentino, Chief of the DOH Learning and Development Division, the country has a shortage of 8,840 doctors nationwide specifically in far-flung rural areas.

In the same hearing, Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi explained that in rolling out the Universal Health Care Law, 44 doctors, nurses, midwives, and medical technologists combined (private and public) should be catering to a population of 10,000. The ratio is currently at 19 per 10,000 population.

"Nakakabahalang malaman na hindi lamang testing facilities at testing kits ang kulang sa atin ngayong nasa ilalim tayo ng isang public health emergency. Dahil sa kakulangan ng mga doktor, naaapektuhan ang ating kakayahang magbigay ng agarang tulong medikal sa mga kababayan nating nasa panganib tulad na lang ng COVID-19," said Gatchalian.

To address the shortage of doctors and other medical professionals in the country, Gatchalian is eyeing more scholarships that would send underprivileged yet deserving students to private institutions.

In the absence of medical schools in state universities and colleges (SUCs), Gatchalian instead urged the Department of Health (DOH) to leverage and increase partnerships with private medical schools so these institutions can absorb poor students who are academically deserving.

Since these institutions already made investments in sophisticated technology and facilities, Gatchalian said sending scholars to these schools would be more efficient compared to putting up medical schools. Out of the country's 111 State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) in the country, only eight are operating medical schools.

Since 2017, DOH has been offering a medical scholarship program which covers tuition costs and allowances for books, uniform, lodging, transportation, annual medical insurance, and living subsidy, among others. The DOH currently has 1,141 scholars in both SUCs and private schools.



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3/14/20

Sa ating mga manggagawang pangkalusugan, mga siyentista, mga kawani ng pamahalaan, at mga pribadong indibidwal na nasa frontline ngayon ng ating laban sa COVID-19, pagpupugay sa inyong matapang at taos-pusong paglilingkod sa bayan.

Despite the risks, you remain steadfast in our fight against this dreadful virus. Sa kabila ng mga kakulangan sa ating sistemang pangkalusugan, nananatiling buo ang serbisyong iniaalay niyo sa mga nangangailangan.

Please know that many of us, your countrymen, will be forever grateful for your sacrifices. Patuloy kaming mananalangin para sa inyong maayos na kalusugan, pati na ng inyong pamilya na malayo sa inyo sa panahong ito. At kapag dumating ang panahong kayo naman ang mangangailangan, maaasahan niyo kami.

Kayo ang tunay na puspos sa trabaho, hindi si Bong Go. Kayo ang dapat pinasasalamatan, hindi ang Tsina.

Maraming salamat, walang hanggang pasasalamat. Tunay kayong ipinagmamalaki ng sambayanang Pilipino.



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In times of a global pandemic, who will care for the least of us?

While our country braces for the worst effects of COVID-19, we should also spare a thought for those languishing in our jails and prisons. Many are still undergoing trial and most belong to the poorest sectors of our society.

The Senate hearings in the past few months exposed to our national consciousness the pitiful state of our countrymen in the jails and prisons. They have barely decent food, horrible sanitation, and there is no guarantee that they will even have floor space to sleep in. Now with some ongoing construction in Bilibid, my office received reports that the inmates are sleeping in makeshift tents in the streetways in the facility. The sweltering heat we now feel at the onset of summer can only aggravate their distressing condition.

Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, there is already a serious public health issue in our jails and prisons. The persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) already have limited access to clean water, bathroom and sewage facilities, and health services. BuCor admitted during the Senate hearings that at least 5,000 () inmates die inside NBP every year from causes that would have been preventable had they had access to better health care and sanitation. I imagine how this can be disastrous in a pandemic of COVID-19's magnitude.

I implore the BJMP and BuCor to ensure that the PDLs will also be considered in our national plan against COVID-19. The limited visitation arrangements is a good first step towards preventing the introduction of COVID-19 in our detention centers. We can ask our PDLs to help keep the facilities clean but we must also ensure that the facilities have access to cleaning materials and equipment, disinfectants, and clean water.

The PDLs are wards of our state. They are confined in jails and prisons for safekeeping and rehabilitation and not to die there because of horrible conditions. They, too, deserve our compassion and attention.

We pray that our country survive this pandemic and we hope that we all play our role towards helping our countrymen, no matter their station in life. ###



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With the growing trend of the Duterte regime in misusing and abusing the law to silence its critics, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has denounced the recent perjury cases filed against human rights defenders and political activists.

De Lima made the statement following reports that 10 human rights activists were charged with perjury in their writ of amparo filed before the Court of Appeals last year. The complaint was filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon.

"Under Duterte's tyrannical manipulations, human rights defenders are treated as criminals by our justice system while violators are given full protection," De Lima said in her recent Dispatch from Crame 731.

"Binaboy na ng husto ni Duterte at ng kanyang mga alipores ang Rule of Law, mula sa paninira sa mga kritiko, pag-imbento ng mga kaso, pagkanlong sa mga tunay na kriminal, at pagpatay sa sarili nilang mamamayan," she added.

Charged with perjury were Elisa Tita Lubi, Cristina Palabay, Roneo Clamor, Gabriela Krista Dalena, Edita Burgos, Jose Mari Calleung and Wilfredo Ruazol, all of whom belong to the human rights group Karapatan.

Also charged were Gabriela members Joan May Salvador and Gertrudes Libang, and Sr. Emma Cupin, a 63-year-old nun who belongs to the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

The lady Senator from Bicol pointed out that dissent and criticism against the government should be protected in a democracy and that human rights defenders, like her, should be spared from state-sanctioned persecution and harassment.

"We live in a time when prosecuting erring public officials are exceptions, rather than the rule; where policemen and senior prosecutors spend more time pursuing and prosecuting libel and imaginary sedition cases against the political opposition rather than address the injustice committed by corrupt soldiers and policemen," she said.

"If this administration can use our present laws to focus our resources on persecuting dissent, what incentive is there to give our government stronger legal weapons to surveil, attack, and detain people for prolonged periods of time based on barely anything more than mere suspicion?" she added.

Last Feb. 26, the Anti-Terrorism Bill was approved in the 3rd reading thru a majority vote with Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros voting against it. De Lima noted that she would also have voted against it as well, if given the opportunity.

Critics of the bill fear that when passed into law, the same may be abused by repressive leaders to surveil and detain persons perceived as critical to the government.

De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte administration, expressed apprehension that the misuse of lawfare will continue to pick up in the coming years, targeting more political leaders and human rights activists.

"As Duterte clings desperately to a crumbling regime, we expect intensified attacks against democratic discourse and legitimate dissent," she said.

"As it employs the state machinery against dissenters, it will also use the full force of this machinery to pursue its murderous anti-people policies. So now is not the time to stop, rest and be cowed," she added.

In the 18th Congress, De Lima refiled her Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) Bill, now logged as Senate Bill (SB) 179 which seeks to provide state protection for human rights defenders against attack, harassment, intimidation, and reprisal.

Under her proposed measure, a Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee shall be created and tasked to protect human rights defenders from intimidation and reprisals and to ensure accountability for acts of intimidation against them.

It is also mandated to investigate all forms of violations of human rights against HRDs and prepare and submit reports on the situation of rights defenders to relevant international and regional human rights bodies and mechanisms, among others.



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This is a global emergency so bawal ang pasaway. Hindi ito panahon para maging pilosopo, panahon ito para maging masunurin at matulungin sa ating gobyerno. We need to sacrifice in order to survive this pandemic. It is a necessary measure. Arrest? Yes. Detention? No. After arrest send them back home."

- Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa

On NCRPO's pronouncement to arrest violators of the NCR Community Quarantine Guidelines



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Senator Joel Villanueva has appealed to the government to continue paying for workers it contracted in the executive department to ensure they could fulfill the needs of their family with their source of income while work remains suspended in agencies under the Office of the President.

Villanueva pointed out that the work suspension, which was ordered to prevent the spread of COVID-19, would affect the livelihood of nearly 30 percent of government workers who are categorized as job order or contract of service.

"While we are in this emergency situation where we limit government operation, I plead with the Executive to continue paying the contractual workers in government even if they don't report to work to ensure their source of income during this period," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development.

"Lubos pong maaapektuhan ang ating mga manggagawa, lalo na ang mga nasa contractual na kategorya, dahil no work, no pay ang nangingibabaw na polisiya," the lawmaker added in a statement.

Data from the Civil Service Commission shows that of the 2.4 million workers in government, some 660,000 workers fall under job orders or contract of service.

"We are worried about the families who will be affected if contractual workers do not report to work. While there will be skeletal staffing in place, their take home pay will significantly shrink, and they may have a harder time fulfilling their basic needs," Villanueva said.

President Duterte ordered a work suspension in the executive branch, but instructed to form skeletal staffing to ensure that the delivery of government services goes unimpeded. Law enforcement agencies such as the police and the military, as well as health, emergency, and other frontline services shall continue in full operation, according to the President.

Villanueva also sought clarity from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the similar issue for the private sector, who are encouraged to implement telecommuting work arrangements in their organizations as appropriate.

"No work, no pay rin po ang ating pribadong sektor. Kaya po hinihiling natin sa DOLE na bigyan ng linaw ang magiging panuntunan na ipapatupad sa kanila pagdating sa trabaho," the lawmaker said.



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We recognize efforts of the government to implement bolder steps to address a public health crisis. However, these measures need clear-cut guidelines to avoid public confusion and ensure effective enforcement.

Concerned agencies must see to it that the community quarantine in Metro Manila would not disrupt public utility services.

Everyone must be guaranteed clean water supply, sufficient food, credible and up-to-date information, reliable means of communication and transportation.

As a nation, we have gone through many challenges and have proven that with our mettle, unity and cooperation, we can weather all crisis.



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In light of the government's lockdown of the National Capital Region, we seek clarification on the following:

1. Food supply What about the entry and exit of trucks carrying food and other supplies to and from NCR ports, and wet markets, supermarkets, and other retail outlets? What happens to the scheduled arrival of semi-perishable and perishable goods estimated at billions of pesos during the lockdown period? Will these goods be diverted? Will these shipping entries be exempt from the lockdown?

2. COVID updates How many have been monitored through contact tracing of those who have tested positive for COVID? What is the status of the travel ban to and from China, given reports that flights from China continue and that Bacolod has allowed all vessels from China, Hong Kong, and Macau to dock at its seaports?

3. Jobs If entry to and exit from NCR is restricted, what happens to the estimated 4 million non-Metro Manila residents from Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Bulacan, and even Pampanga who work in Metro Manila? DILG Secretary Año has made some exceptions in the media after the President's announcement on the lockdown but protocols for these should be made clear.

4. Informal settlements How do we address the issue of close contact among people in informal?

5. Intra-NCR travel and mass transit If Metro Manila is locked down, can residents move freely within the metropolis? What are the protocols for MRT and LRT riders? For padyak, tricycle, Angkas/habal-habal, jeepney, van, and bus riders? Will the government deploy more trains? Ease permits and franchises for other modes of transport?

6. Hazmat suits for military and police 40,000 troops who do not have hazmat suits are reported to be deployed to enforce the lockdown. How will they be protected from the virus? How will their deployment cut the transmission of the virus?

7. Economy What is NEDA's plan to make the economy resilient and able to immediately bounce back from the economic shocks brought by the pandemic?

The challenge is to minimize the infection. We must do everything we can to prevent the situation where the growing number of COVID-19 patients overwhelms our entire healthcare workforce.

The rate at which the COVID-19 cases multiply each day poses a very serious threat. If we fail to arrest the increase, our healthcare system, no matter how equipped it is, will face difficulty in dealing with COVID-19 cases.

With the increasing cases of COVID infections, we are willing to help work with the administration to enact emergency legislation needed so that government can respond more quickly to the crisis, as well as propose science-based and multi-sectoral, and people-centered and vulnerable-focused actions on these areas:

1. Communication

Issue more frequent timely and informative press conferences for updates, advisories, and reminders (on hygiene and healthy practices), utilizing traditional and social media, including private telcos and non-traditional media like electronic billboards.

Set up a 24-hour hotline that will answer health and other questions.

2. Necessities

Ensure supply and distribution system of food, water, and other basic needs.

Stock up on basic relief goods.

Prevent looting and provide the most vulnerable, no-work-no-pay daily wage earners and micro entrepreneurs (eg, jeepney drivers, construction workers, and sidewalk vendor) with basic relief goods and cash support.

Buy from local farmers and producers.

3. Medical services

Ensure massive testing during the lockdown.

Exhaust all means to find, isolate and test every COVID-19 case and trace every persons they had contact with in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

To relieve fear and panic, publicly distribute bottle-size alcohol spray, pocket tissues, face masks and other similar items.

Prioritize the safety of our frontline health workers, both in government and private sector, by ensuring that they are given the support and protection they need. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate their dedication. All hospitals, private and public, including rural health units, should be empowered to respond to COVID-19 case.

We also laud the quick action by the PhilHealth in shouldering the testing and hospitalization of COVID-19 patients and persons under investigation.

4. Enforce, expand, and encourage social distancing

Cancel or postpone non-essential travels, class suspensions, and mass gatherings to prevent COVID spread. Nobody can enter or exit lockdown areas, unless there are proven family or work reasons. Postpone work meetings and encourage working from home.

We support a localized approach to contain the virus. The local government units should do everything in their power to prevent unnecessary gatherings, interactions, and meetings in their localities. We call for the public's utmost cooperation.

Business establishments should allow telecommuting, work-from-home, and other means that can help minimize the risk of spreading the virus.

Provide additional medical leaves and other support for self-quarantine of government and private employees. No penalty for COVID-vulnerable doing self-quarantine. Consider additional leaves as donation similar to during a disaster.

5. Budget and other resources

Make fund releases easy especially to government hospitals through the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development.

Tap contingency funds and savings for COVID-19.

Similar to Italy, help small entrepreneurs cope with diminished economic activity. For example, commercial space owners may give rent discounts to mall stall owners; and government may extend deadlines for BIR, SSS employer contributions, and other government payments; and/or partly subsidize these payments.

6. Mindset or approach

Leaders, both in and out of government, should strategize and draw up measures to address this pandemic in their companies, schools, offices, and organizations.

Use the crisis as an opportunity to better our health, financial, and food distribution systems toward universal access to basic goods and services.

Respect human rights.

This pandemic is also an opportunity to work together because we are all in this together.



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The Metro Manila "lockdown," "community quarantine," or whatever the authorities may call it, is one decisive action taken by the government that needs the support of our people, no matter the sacrifices or inconvenience it brings.

But then again, government must lose no time in coming up with practical but effective ways of implementing it to serve its real purpose for our country to survive this unprecedented crisis that we are facing.

For its part, the Department of Health's Inter-Agency Task Force (DOH-IATF) should issue clear, simple and concise guidelines on dealing with COVID-19 to prevent confusion among the public, as so many doctors and medical experts have been expressing different opinions on it, particularly on its transmission.

One example involves former DOH Sec. and now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin being quoted as saying COVID-19 is infectious only when the patient is symptomatic, and that quarantine should be mandatory only for those who had direct contact with positive patient, on the one hand; and on the other, Chinese researchers reportedly confirmed a case of asymptomatic transmission where a woman from Wuhan passed it to five kin but never got physically sick herself.

Meanwhile, self-quarantine is not for oneself but for the sake of other people. Insisting to work or move around in spite of full knowledge of interaction with a possible COVID-19 carrier is not a laudable act. It is in fact damnable.

Citizens must also do their part by practicing self-discipline and self-control against thoughtless acts such as hoarding and profiteering at the expense of fellow Filipinos.

This is not the time to argue and fight. Instead, we should all unite to get over this plague.



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The results of the tests for COVID-19 conducted on President Rodrigo Duterte and I turned out negative. We are fit and healthy to perform our duties.

But just like our advice to the general public, we will take precautionary measures seriously and comply with the advice of our health officials in order to remain healthy and avoid the spread of the virus while still being able to perform our mandate to the Filipino people.

Now more than ever, we as elected officials should do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people. The government as a whole should still do its job in a manner that will not put the health of others at risk. Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang tulong sa kapwa Pilipino, tuloy tuloy dapat ang serbisyo.



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This week (March 11 to 18), our country pays homage to our beloved grandmothers and grandfathers who deserve our gratitude for their meaningful contributions to community and society and for their continued wisdom and guidance to our youth.

Isa nga pong napakahalagang bahagi ng ating lipunan ang sektor ng mga nakatatanda bilang silang mga humubog at nangalaga sa lipunang ginagalawan natin sa kasalukuyan. Kaya naman tungkulin po ng bawat isa na protektahan at itaguyod ang kanilang mga kapakanan.

Bilang isa ring lola sa dalawa kong minamahal na apo, naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng senior citizen na maging produktibong bahagi ng ating lipunan. Buo ang suporta ko sa mga polisiya at programa na nilalabanan ang anumang diskriminasyon batay sa edad at kumikilala sa kakayahan ng bawat indibidwal na makaambag sa pag-unlad ng pamilya at ng bansa.

Ang hangad po natin: Patuloy na bigyang-lakas at ikarangal ang mga nakatatanda sa pagsigurong napagkakalooban sila ng libre o abot-kayang serbisyong medikal, sapat na pagkain, maayos na tirahan, higit sa lahat, respeto.

As such, it is my great privilege to have sponsored and co-authored Republic Act No. 11350 that was passed into law last year, which creates the National Commission of Senior Citizens dedicated exclusively in promoting the rights and welfare of our senior citizens.

Recently, as one of the authors and sponsors, I also pushed for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 1319 that seeks to grant senior citizens additional cash gifts of P10,000 when they reach the ages of 80 and 90, aside from the P100,000 they will receive on their 100th birthday.

Rest assured that as Chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, I will continue to advocate for the interest, inclusion and empowerment of grandparents and the elderly.

(Sgd.) LEILA M. DE LIMA

PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame

13 March 2020



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With the threat of unemployment looming large as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in the country, Senator Joel Villanueva has called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to expedite the implementation of programs that would help affected workers weather the tough times as they transition to new jobs.

In a statement, Villanueva noted that the labor department must already begin their efforts to help the labor market brace itself for shocks that could send unemployment figures in an upward trend as the infectious disease continues to make difficult business operations which could result to layoffs.

"The livelihood of our workers should continue even if some of them would lose their jobs as a result of COVID-19 affecting the operations of their employers. We call on DOLE to immediately implement programs to ensure displaced workers would still be able to earn a living for their families instead of totally being unemployed," said Villanueva, chair of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development.

The lawmaker, who defended the department's budget at last year's deliberations in the Upper Chamber, explained that among the programs which can help displaced workers was DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

A form of emergency employment assistance, TUPAD is a grass-roots approach to emergency employment as it is implemented in communities for displaced workers, seasonal workers, and even the underemployed. Beneficiaries work for a minimum 10 days but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the nature of the work to be performed, according to the DOLE website.

TUPAD beneficiaries work on social community projects such as repair, maintenance, rehabilitation or improvement of common public and service facilities, as well as helping implement agro-forestry projects like tree-planting and growing initiatives, among others.

After the project is completed, beneficiaries could avail of skills training through Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or its accredited training facility to help workers be equipped with new skills that would help their transition back to the workforce.

Villanueva said he hoped that DOLE could quickly implement TUPAD on areas that could be hit hardest by layoffs so that the "disruption to the livelihood of workers are kept at a minimum."

"The key for DOLE is anticipation. TUPAD is not only a means of being employed in tough times. We see it as an opportunity for workers to earn a living and to upskill at the end of the program," he pointed out.

A recent study by the Asian Development Bank forecasts that the Philippine economy might lose between 87,000 to 252,000 jobs in five sectors, in addition to $669 million to $1.94 billion in GDP, if COVID-19 spreads in the country.



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SENATE President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday clarified the Senate is NOT on lockdown but is enforcing RESTRICTED ACCESS to certain areas of its building.

"I have issued a directive to the Senate Sergeant At Arms to put the Senate under Restricted Access, NOT a lockdown as the term lockdown has been misinterpreted and abused. Officials and their staff who have work to do and complete are required to report for work," Sotto said.

The move came after senators were informed that a resouce person who attended a recent Senate committee hearing had tested positive of the novel coronavirus (COVID19). Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Nancy Binay, who had direct contact with the patient, and their office staff are now on self-quatantine.

Sotto said the entire Senate premises will be cleaned and disinfected following these developments.

Offices or areas scheduled for cleaning and disinfection will be cordoned off and will not be accessible to any Senate employee, except for the cleaners who have been required to wear protective clothing.

"The Senate has to continue to function. The Filipino people need us today and we cannot let the threat and scare of an infection to distract us from work. However, I have given strict instructions that all employees should exercise extreme preventive practices as they go about their daily tasks. It is of utmost importance that everyone observe proper hygiene and follow protocols as a precaution against contamination," Sotto said.

The Senate chief said any employee who feels any of the symptoms of COVID19, or those who have recently travelled to countries with high contamination rates, or those who had exposure to local patients should voluntarily go on self-quarantine but continue to work from home.

"Employees who feel they might be infected should volunteer to go on self-isolation. But they should inform their respective office heads about their decision for proper monitoring and coordination purposes. We should all lookout for the health and well-being of each other," Sotto said.



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The Senate wrapped up its session Wednesday, March 11, to go on its annual Lenten break. Regular sessions will resume on May 4, 2020.

"We are adjourning during this First Regular Session on the heels of increasing COVID-19 incidents wherein the Senate itself suspended Session since Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon and instituted skeletal force schedules in our attempt to prevent further spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing as a whole institution," said Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.

"Before we go on recess, we made sure to pass people-centric legislation," Senator Zubiri said.

The Senate on Third Reading passed Senate Bill No. 1083 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which repeals the Human Security Act of 2007 in order to provide a strong legal backbone towards the protection of the life, liberty and property of Filipinos against the evils of terrorism.

The Senate also passed the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Legal Assistance Fund (SBN 1233), a measure which expands the use of a fund meant to help more than 10 million Filipinos working in foreign lands.

Likewise, two educational measures hurdled the Senate, namely SBN 1086, which establishes the Philippine high school for sports "to train and develop future generations of world champion Philippine athletes," and the Good Manners and Right Conduct Comprehensive Values Education Act (SBN 1224), which Zubiri said "will equip Filipinos with the necessary skills, and values to be citizens with good manners and ethical convictions."

"It is important for the youth to be given avenues to experience and pursue various passions so they may exercise their choice on what they wish to develop in themselves. Filipino athletes who went on to accomplish great things did so despite, and not because of, the physical education curriculum of our schools. With the PHSS, I am certain we will see more Manny Pacquiaos, Ramon Fernandezes, and Hidilyn Diazes," Zubiri said. Zubiri, a former world champion, is the president of the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF).

SBN 1296, a bill creating the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute (PERPI), a government think tank for critical research and policy development to recommend reforms in the energy sector, was also approved on Third Reading.

"Besides the passage of these measures, we adopted several resolutions, foremost of which was Senate Resolution 312, expressing the sense of the Senate for the president to reconsider his plan to withdraw from the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States of America," Zubiri also said.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 337 asking the Supreme Court to rule whether or not the Senate must concur in the abrogation of a treaty that was previously concurred in by the upper chamber.

Concluding the day was the turnover, led by Senator Zubiri of Adopted Resolution No. 15 to the National Telecommunications Commission Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios. The resolution backs the issuance of a provisional permit to ABS-CBN to continue operations beyond the expiry of its franchise as Congress continues to deliberate on its franchise.



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We are facing a disease that knows no borders.

We cannot simply watch and feel safe while the pandemic ripples across the globe.

Our unity and sense of humanity will help combat this public health crisis.

As we try our best to keep ourselves and our families healthy, there should be a palpable sense of responsibility for the greater common good.

We are all in this together.



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Sen. Grace Poe is pushing for the repeal of an antiquated penal law that permits murder of a spouse caught in extramarital affairs.

Senate Bill No. 1410 specifically wants to abolish Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code, which gives legally married person the license to kill his or her spouse or underaged daughter caught having sex with another person.

Article 247 also provides that "if he shall inflict upon them physical injuries of any other kind, he shall be exempt from punishment."

The current law limits the penalty to this act of killing or inflicting injury to destierro or mere banishment.

"These rules shall be applicable, under the same circumstances, to parents with respect to their daughters under 18 years of age, and their seducers, while the daughters are living with their parents," the law added.

Poe pointed out in the bill's explanatory note that the obsolete provision gave married person or the accused two privileges: protection from punishment and defense from retaliation from the victim's family members.

"In this day and age, there must no longer be room for laws that discriminate against women and girls. Honor killing is a practice that has been widely condemned as it runs roughshod over due process and the basic tenets of human rights," Poe said.

"Killing is killing. People should not be allowed to take the law into their own hands," she added in filing the bill, which coincided with the celebration of Women's Month.

Poe pointed out the need to repeal the specific provision in the Penal Code as it also legitimizes violence against children.

"Why should we allow unfair double standards prejudicial to women to perpetuate, as well as the antiquated notion that daughters are mere properties of their parents?" asked Poe.

"Huwag natin palusutin sa batas ang anumang pagyurak sa katauhan at karapatan ng ating mga kababaihan at kabataan," she said.

Poe underscored that the bill was also meant to promote a more progressive view of family life, in which marital and familial ties are not regarded as a privilege to commit violence.

Criminal offenses such as sexual infidelity and seduction were already duly tackled in other articles of the Revised Penal Code and the Family Code, she pointed out.

Poe said she was also introducing the bill in keeping with international commitments to repeal discriminatory laws against women and children under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and Convention of the Rights of the Child.



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MANILA -- As the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan on Thursday assured the public that the health disaster can be defeated with quick and timely multi-sectoral, science-based interventions anchored on compassion.

"We can defeat this virus. We can lessen the spread. And we can emerge triumphant and victorious but we have to help each other," Pangilinan said.

"We are confronted by a virus that knows no boundaries. No one family, no matter how equipped with tons of food stock, disinfectants, and medicines, can stay safe for long if the rest of the community have none. Combatting the disease needs a community effort and compassion toward each other," he added.

Pangilinan said national and local governments need to step up efforts to keep the public aware and well-informed, as he enumerated the areas where leadership is required:

More frequent advisories and bulletins should be issued, utilizing the help of the private sector such as telcos through timely updates.

Concerned national government agencies and local government units should stock up on basic relief goods.

"Work suspension will hit hard those earning on a no work, no pay basis tulad ng mga jeepney driver, construction worker, at kahit na yung mga sidewalk vendor. Sila yung pinaka vulnerable. Sila ang dapat bigyang-pansin. Their families have to eat. A lockdown will hurt daily wage earners and, if hungry, may turn to looting or theft. We need to provide relief goods and cash support. It is a messy situation and we need to act fast," Pangilinan said.

"Now is also the best time for local government units to make their services felt in communities. Mahirap sabihin sa mga kababayan nating kumalma kung walang mahanap na face mask o alcohol. One municipality in Rizal gives free face masks and alcohol refill to its constituents. Mahirap sabihing maghugas ng kamay kung walang tubig. Siguraduhin ang supply ng tubig," he said.

Government should make fund releases easy especially to government hospitals through the Departments of Health and Social Welfare and Development. Tap contingency funds and savings for COVID-19.

Leaders, especially in government, should strategize and draw up measures to address this pandemic.

"While we recognize the need for some government officials to go on self-quarantine, it should not mean totally disappearing totally from the public and not working," Pangilinan said.

Enforce, expand, and encourage social distancing.

"Provide additional medical leaves and other support for self-quarantine of government and private employees. No penalty for COVID-vulnerable doing self-quarantine. Consider additional leaves as donation similar to during a disaster," Pangilinan said.

"Cancel or postpone non-essential travels, class suspensions, and mass gatherings to prevent COVID spread. Nobody can enter or exit lockdown areas, unless there are proven family or work reasons. Postpone work meetings and encourage working from home," he added.

Pangilinan was among the first to prod government into action when news broke out on a possible pandemic on January 27, when he called on government to impose a travel ban to visitors from China.

At the February 4 Senate hearing on government response, Pangilinan was among the senators who censured Health Secretary Francisco Duque for seeming unpreparedness, unaware of basic statistics involving the spread of the disease, including the number of flights from China and other affected areas.

The former Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization recalled his experience with the cocolisap infestation in 2014 -2015 that affected over 4.5 million coconut trees nationwide.

The infestation was contained following timely and quick science-based protocols with the active participation of various sectors, in and out of government.

"Kapag tayo ay kumilos nang maayos, may disiplina at organisado ang ating interventions, tatalunin natin yung peste. At sa awa ng Diyos, after our interventions, public emergency na rin yon, we were able to bring down from 59 hotspots in five provinces to one hotspot in one province because of the intervention of medicine, of science, of local government, of the national government. Sama-samang pinagtulungan," he said.

Pangilinan reiterated that everyone must work together to combat COVID-19.

"Ganun din dito sa coronavirus. Sino ba ang mas magaling? Yung virus na hindi naman nag-iisip o yung tao na kumikilos at mayroong pag-iisip? I think people will be more powerful, will be more effective in combating this virus but we need to be science-based. We need to inspire local governments as well as the private sector na magtulungan so that we can manage this pandemic," Pangilinan said.

The senator added that if we act together, "we can reduce the spread by as much as eight to ten times because of social distancing, because of massive testing, because of self-quarantine, because of interventions both of the individual and not only the private sector [but also the] government.



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Sen. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao has filed a bill seeking to prohibit spitting and expelling nasal mucous in public places.

Pacquiao filed Senate Bill No. 1406, also known as the "Anti-Spitting Act of 2020." The measure provides for a steep penalty for those who shall be caught spitting saliva or expelling nasal mucous in any place to which the public has access.

"This unsanitary and irresponsible act has to stop," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao filed the bill in light of the increasing confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. Considering that the respiratory illness has spread in a rapid pace, Pacquiao said there has to be a concrete preventive measure in place.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the virus is thought to spread from person-to-person, most likely through droplets of saliva or mucous carried in the air for up to six feet or so when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Under the proposed measure, anyone caught spitting or expelling nasal mucous would be slapped with a fine of PHP 5,000 for the first offense and PHP10,000 for the second offense. For third time violators, a fine of PHP 50,000 would be imposed and a mandatory attendance in a health seminar to be conducted by the Department of Health.

When the measure is enacted into law, the risk of catching a contagious disease would be lessened.

Other diseases that spread through saliva include tuberculosis, hepatitis and viral meningitis, to name a few.

Pacquiao is optimistic that his colleagues in the Senate would support and swiftly pass the bill into law to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 and other deadly infectious diseases.

As of this writing, the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This means there is a worldwide spread of a disease over a wide geographic area and affect a high proportion of the population.



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Better safe than sorry for others.

There is every reason to be concerned as far as the Senate, since an invited resource person who has been tested positive for COVID-19 had not only entered the Senate premises, but even interacted with at least two senators and their staff.

In my case, since I shared the elevator with Sen. Gatchalian yesterday afternoon on our way to the session hall, I am taking precaution by doing self-quarantine while waiting for the result of his test. If he tests positive, I will have to undergo the test myself.

We agreed to disinfect the Senate starting today. I would encourage my fellow senators who may have interacted with our two colleagues, Senators Binay and Gatchalian, to follow their lead and do self-quarantine for two weeks as well, not only for our sake but for others.



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Tama na ang pagiging magulo. The people have the right to a coherent government.

The Filipino people have been expecting a cohesive plan from our leaders. They deserve and need the government to exercise competent leadership in order to shepherd us out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the government should strive to express clear communication of its policies and guidelines surrounding the containment of this pandemic.

There is a lot to clarify. I urge the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to immediately release specific guidelines and parameters of the community quarantine being imposed in Metro Manila, especially its effects on the daily lives of Filipinos and of those who work within the metro but reside elsewhere. Our public health and local government authorities must be at the helm of this community quarantine, subject to proper parameters and regular review, in order to guide and assure the worried public.

At the same time, we must not forget those who are most vulnerable and who have the least among us: the daily wage-earning poor and the loss of jobs that is already following in the wake of this pandemic.

I call on the Department of Social Welfare and Development and our local government units to ensure sufficient food supply through local food banks. Dapat may pagkain sa bawat hapag-kainan. Likewise, I am urging the Department of Labor and Employment to facilitate immediate cashflow to families who will lose their livelihood in the same light due to COVID-19.

I have full trust in the capacity of our health professionals to carry out the necessary measures to contain the virus' transmission. I thank our frontline health workers who have been working tirelessly in the name of public health and safety. You are the real heroes and I am thankful for your service to our people. In this same line, the protection and welfare of health workers must be prioritized. They must have ample protective gear, compensation, and other forms of support in the conduct of their duties.

This pandemic is a test of our humanity and institutions. Getting our act together means life or death to many Filipinos. A difficult path to recovery lies ahead. But I have faith in the strength of our people; that as one nation we will overcome, as we Filipinos always have.



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"Paano tayo maghuhugas ng kamay kung wala namang tubig?" This was the question posed by Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday as the number of infected individuals who have contracted the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), climbed to 49 cases as of last night.

Hontiveros said that the ongoing water shortage in Metro Manila is putting entire communities at grave risk, denying many Filipinos the ability to protect themselves against the COVID-19 outbreak. The Senator raised her warning following announcements by water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad that they will implement rotational water service interruptions starting this month.

Hontiveros said that the supply interruptions will have a severely disastrous effect on efforts to contain the fast spread of COVID-19 in the metro. "There is only one thing more important than face masks or alcohol in our fight to prevent the virus and that is running water," Hontiveros said.

"Proper handwashing with soap and running water is the most effective way to kill viruses and avoid getting infected," she also said. "Kapag mahina ang tulo ng tubig, hihina din ang laban natin sa COVID-19. Nilalagay natin sa peligro ang mismong buhay at kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan," Hontiveros stressed.

Hontiveros said that especially vulnerable are people living in poor and densely-populated communities where social distancing can be impossible.

She then urged the government, especially the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) to step up their efforts to boost the water supply in communities in the upcoming weeks.

Steady water supply, Hontiveros said, should be particularly provided to urban poor neighborhoods and areas where there is heavy concentration of people. "Magpadala na po kayo ng water trucks, para kumpleto ang tulog ng mga tao, imbes na pumipila o naghihintay ng tulo ng gripo sa hating gabi o madaling araw," Hontiveros urged the water concessionaires.

"We should not allow poor public services to worsen the already terrible COVID-19 outbreak into a deadly health crisis," she concluded.



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The Department of Health has just confirmed the first local death of a Filipino due to COVID-19. Kagaya ng marami, hindi ko itatago ang aking lungkot at pangamba. At this crucial moment, I ask that the government demonstrate the leadership that the public needs in order to shepherd ourselves out of this crisis.

I also ask the public to religiously follow the protocols and guidelines set by our health authorities, practice social distancing if capable, and conduct self-quarantine if needed. It cannot be emphasized enough that proper hygiene, especially frequent and proper handwashing, is still the best weapon against the virus.

Hoarding of protective gear like face masks, tissue rolls, and alcohol will limit the supply for those who need them the most. Our frontline health workers, as well as the immunocompromised, such as the sick, elderly, and the pregnant, should have ample access to these essential supplies.

COVID-19 has become a real danger to our institutions. It is testing our public health system. But worse yet, it is testing our faith in each other. However, let us remember that we will get through the threat of this outbreak, not as individuals trying to save ourselves, but as a community saving each other.

We will recover by how we take care of each other.

We are safe when those around us are safe.



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Q: Senator magandang hapon Sir, Alex Santos po Sir.

SEN WIN: Magandang hapon Alex, good afternoon sa ating mga tagapakinig.

Q: Ikaw ay nagpa self-quarantine na po Senator no? nasa Bahay ka lang ba ngayon Sir?

SEN WIN: Correct, nasa bahay lang tayo mag-isa at bawal magkaroon ng contact sa ibang tao at nandito tayo ngayon inaantay natin yung ating pagkakataon para ma-testing para malaman din ng ibang nakasalamuha natin kung sila ay negative.

Q: Ngayon Senator ang testing ay gagawin sainyong tahanan o lalabas kayo papuntang ospital?

SEN WIN: Lalabas po kami papuntang isang lugar sa designated area, pwedeng ospital yan or sa office ang DOH ang pipili ng lugar na safe. Total swabbing lang eh, so kukunin lang yung laway mo at ite-test nila sa IRTM at babalikan kami.

Q: Yun ang kukunin ho yata yung DNA--

SEN WIN: Opo, correct, dahil doon nila makikita kung merong virus sa katawan natin o wala.

Q: Bukod doon sainyo Senator pati ho ba yung mga staff ninyo nag self-quarantine na po?

SEN WIN: Meron tayong 25 staff na nagkaroon ng direct contact dito sa pasyente at itong pasyente na ito dalawang beses pumunta sa amin noong Feb 27 nagkaroon kami ng consultation. After nung consultation nag picture taking of course pag nag picture taking, kakamay kayo, kwentuhan ng onti, small talk. Itong March 5 yung hearing proper na marami ang dumalo, maraming private schools dahil private school ang aming paksa noong araw na yun at almost, binibilang ko, ine-estimate ko almost 200 ang mga taong nasa loob ng kwartong iyon kaya inabisuhan ho namin yung mga tao na pumunta doon sa hearing na mag self-quarantine, wag muna silang lumabas at i-contact nila yung pinakamalapit nilang city health officer para humingi ng payo kung kailangan nila mag testing.

Q: Pero during the hearing at yung mga encounters niyo ho doon sa patient, napansin niyo ho ba kung medyo matamlay ba siya? May sakit ho ba siya?

SEN WIN: Actually wala, in fact ang Senate mahigpit dahil nga noong lumalabas itong corona virus nag implement po ang Senado ng mahigpit na patakaran para po hindi makapasok yung virus sa loob ng tanggapan ng Senado, may mga thermal scanners, yung mga may sakit pinapaalis na... mahigpit no, kapag wala kang appointment sa mga Senador hindi ka papapasukin at kung wala ka doon sa guestlist, hindi ka prin papapasukin. So mahigpit at tine-testing lahat ng mga pumapasok sa Senado pero kahit ganun pa man, obviously itong tao to nakapasok sa Senado. Wala namang sakit eh kaya siya nakapasok at late na nag manifest. Resource person namin siya eh noong after hearing alam ko nagkaroon pa siya ng meeting sa loob ng Senado kaya marami ho talaga siyang nakausap sa Senado. Magaling naman talaga itong resource person natin at hinahangaan pero yun na nga hindi naman niya kagustuhan na tamaan siya nung virus.

Q: Do you have an idea po Senator kumusta na po siya? Ano po kondisyon niya?

SEN WIN: Nakuha ko lang yung latest news ngayon na stable condition siya at kahapon critical pero ngayon nagpapa update ako, stable naman yung condition niya at nag transfer siya sa ibang ospital--siya yung asawa noong namatay kahapon, yung may corona virus.

Q: Doon sa Manila Doctors po no?

SEN WIN: Correct, at narinig ko kanina yung interview kay Secretary Briones at aking pananaw no, dahil ito ay kumbaga, ako mismo ay nabiktima, sakin person under monitoring, ang aking payo sa Department of Education na ipagpaliban muna yung mga graduation natin from daycare, moving up, senior high school and even college dahil unang-una, pag graduation pinaguusapan natin dito sa basic education ay 3 million students, times two yan so 6 million katao ang pupunta dahil may father and mother, yung anak, so 9 million ang pupunta sa iba't-ibang graduation ceremonies kahit na maglagay tayo ng mga thermal scanner, kahit tignan natin kung may sakit itong tao, kahit na paalala natin sa kanila na wag na kayo pupunta kung may karamdaman kayo, hindi natin mapipigil yun eh at baka lang may pumunta doon na walang sakit ngayon pero bukas magkasakit na, nakahawa na siya ng ibang tao. At yung mga ganitong graduation maraming OFW na umuuwi, syempre itong mga OFW natin hindi din nila masisigurado baka makasagap sila nitong corona virus at madala sa graduation site.

Q: So ang suggestion ninyo ipagpaliban na lang?

SEN WIN: I-suspend muna hindi naman natin kakanselahin, i-suspend muna natin dahil nga ang sitwasyon ngayon ay hindi natin dapat maliitin kagaya nga ng nangyari sa amin sa Senado, napaka higpit talaga, may thermal scanners, meron pa kaming scanners pero nakalagpas pa rin. Eh itong mga public schools natin wala namang image scanners at thermal scanners so ang kinakatakutan ko baka may makalusot, baka may makahawa, doon tayo magkakaroon tayo ng malaking problema.

Q: So talagang sana'y mapagisipan Mabuti ho to.

SEN WIN: Pagpaliban lang, tignan muna natin kahit isang buwan muna dahil alam ko talagang napakahalaga ng graduation. Tama si Secretary, ang graduation ay hindi lang para sa bata kungdi para sa mga magulang at sang-ayon ako sa kanya subalit ang sitwasyon ngayon hindi natin mapre-predict at ang gusto natin maging conservative sa ganito, kagaya ng nangyari samin sa Senado, kahit anong higpit ang gawin natin, may makakalusot talaga.

Q: Pano to Senator, kapag kayo po ay nasa self-quarantine wala ho kayong gagawin na mga committee hearing?

SEN WIN: Wala muna, naka lockdown ngayon ang senado at nag di-disinfect ang buong senado at ang payo ko naman sa senado ay huwag muna tayo mag hearing in the next two weeks. Kagaya nga ng sinabi ko, kagaya nito, bigyan lang kita ng onting description, talagang kampante kami na hindi makakalusot dahil meron naman kaming mga thermal scanners pero nakalusot pa rin at sa kasamaang palad may mga nag attend na galing sa ibang lugar; Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Antipolo, kaya kung nag converge sila sa Senado at bumalik sa kanilang komunidad, may posibilidad na kumalat na, yun ang problema.

Q: So wala munang committee hearing at dahil naka break na ho kayo no? kahapon?

SEN WIN: Break kami session pero pinapayagan naman magkaroon ng committee hearing pero Nakita ko yung instruction ni Senator Tito Sotto na wala munang hearings for two weeks, so disinfect also para hindi lumala itong sitwasyon natin.

Q: Senator, sino po ang nagaalaga sainyo?

SEN WIN: Yan ang mahirap pag mag-isa ka eh, actually natuto ako mag hugas ng pinggan atsaka maglaba ngayon dahil magisa--

Q: Hindi ka ho pwede makipagsalamuha sa iba haha?

SEN WIN: Hindi pwede ho dahil pati yung best friend ko nga ngayon ay microwave eh hahaha

Q: Sige Senator magpalakas ho kayo ah!

SEN WIN: Thank you, maraming Salamat!



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Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a resolution to look into the initiatives of all energy agencies and stakeholders in ensuring the reliability, security and affordability of electric power supply during the summer season.

Gatchalian said that during summer, peak demand increases by 5.45% in Luzon and 3.19% in Visayas because of heightened use of refrigerators and air conditioners. Any forced and unplanned power plant shutdown at this time leads to thinning of reserves and possibly yellow and red alerts resulting to brownouts. A red alert is called when the excess power supply in power grids is insufficient and may result in rotational brownouts. A yellow alert is declared when excess power supplies are low but may not lead to power outages.

While there is enough power at present, the Department of Energy (DOE) earlier warned of possible brownouts in Luzon on the last week of April and third week of May. Based on the DOE's forecast, the peak demand for Luzon this year could hit 12,285 megawatts (MW) and that an additional capacity of 256 megawatts to 821 MW is needed to avoid a red alert status.

"Bakit kelangan paulit-ulit nating paalalahanan si Juan de la Cruz na maghanda sa posibilidad na magkakaroon ng brownout ngayong summer? Dapat natuto na ang DOE, power generators at lahat ng stakeholders sa mga insidente ng brownout sa mga nakalipas na mga taon at inaasahan natin na mayroon na silang contingency measures upang maiwasan ang power interruption ngayong summer," the lawmaker said.

Gatchalian urges the DOE to strictly monitor power generation companies and ensure that there will be no forced or unplanned outages, especially this upcoming summer.

The Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee said that for the long term, the DOE must prioritize the construction of more power generation plants in the country to ease any possible tightness in supply in the future, such as adding capacity for a span of 10 years to meet more than the electricity demand.

Gatchalian pointed out that the DOE can also maximize the full potential of the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop (EVOSS) Law to reduce red tape, simplify regulations and streamline business processes of power generation, transmission, and distribution projects in the country.



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3/12/20

This f***** country, Mr. Duterte? Such bitterness coming from someone desperately clinging to whatever is left of the power that this "f*****" country has entrusted you three years ago.

You killed your own people, sold our sovereignty, and led us to a debt trap from which we might never recover. This is how much you hate this country so we are not surprised anymore. Your fellow Filipinos, especially our health workers, are risking their lives to protect this country that you blatantly vilified with contempt. Your allegiance was never with us.

For all your posturing as a patriot, you failed, miserably, to convince your people that you can hold our nation together in the face of a life-threatening health crisis. Instead of reassuring us that the government is prepared to combat this threat, you chose to be divisive, aggravating our fears with your ramblings about plagues, even hinting on the necessity of a cleansing.

Mr. Duterte, you are willing to watch us die from this virus that strong political will, love of country, and clear-headed leadership could have contained at the outset. Instead, you chose the exact opposite. The way you are handling the crisis may be the final nail to your regime's coffin. It will be a long, painful descent. And we will fight to the last not to let this country go to hell with you.

This is a f***** country, only because you have been screwing it hard the past three years. Damn you!



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3/12/20

Duterte's response to the growing public clamor against POGOs has made it clear that he does not have the best interest of the Filipino people at heart.

The Senate has been doing a commendable job in exposing the evils of the POGOs. Sen. Joel Villanueva has shown how the labor sector has been flooded by foreigners from mainland China who are working in POGOs without proper permits. Sen. Risa Hontiveros has exposed a human trafficking ring and corrupt immigration practices catering to POGO employees. Sen. Richard Gordon is currently investigating the obscene amount of cash being smuggled into our country by POGO operators. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, for his part, reported on the information he received that some 3,000 Chinese Army personnel are here in the country under the cover of POGO operations.

Our country is feeling the negative and deleterious effects of POGO. Many of our countrymen are priced out of their homes by Chinese workers. Our women and children fall prey to prostitution and human trafficking. Crime rates have been continuously rising, notably those committed by Chinese nationals against Filipinos and against each other.

These POGOs do not pay proper taxes. They do not employ Filipinos. They violate our borders, disrupt our communities, commit crimes in our cities, and expect our people to clean up the mess that they created. The supposed ₱8 billion annual franchise tax is a paltry sum compared to the social costs that they generate. That amount is not even enough to pay for the government services availed of by these hostile Chinese nationals, in terms of immigration and police support.

No one is fooled by Malacañang claims that the income from POGO will be used for COVID-19. Mr. Duterte does not even understand what is going on in our country. He made that clear when he rambled incoherently (once again) in his own press conference. He was supposed to assure us that everything is being done to manage the COVID pandemic but ended up causing greater national anxiety by betraying his own incompetence. That person is not the man a Filipino can trust especially in times of crisis.

In spite of his billions of pesos in confidential and intelligence funds, Duterte has once again shamed the Office of the President by declaring POGOs clean and free of crime under his "oath of office as President of the Republic" without any semblance of credibility, nary any effort to ascertain the truth.

Bakit, Ginoong Duterte? Inaasahan mo ba na popondohan ka at mga kaalyado mo nitong mga POGO sa susunod na eleksyon? Magkano ba ang binabayad sayo ng mga POGO na ito para ipagkanulo mo ang sarili mong bansa? May hawak ba silang impormasyon laban sayo kaya hindi mo maipatupad ang nararapat para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan? Bakit hindi mo mapahinto ang POGO na siyang sumisira sa ating bansa?

End this scourge! Stop POGO in the Philippines!



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Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called for more proactive and positive steps in ensuring that all Filipino families will be properly assisted in the face of national public health emergency brought about the coronavirus (or COVID-19) outbreak.

De Lima, who chairs the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, said she is appealing for concerted nationwide effort among all able Filipino people, including civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private sector, to arrest the further spread of the coronavirus, especially among the vulnerable sectors.

"I call upon the government, volunteer and private sectors to go beyond the usual norm of public service to assist our countrymen, especially among the most vulnerable sectors, and lessen the burdens they carry for themselves and their families," she said.

"An outbreak of disease knows no politics. Let's stop foolish bravado, non-sensical jokes and hysteria but provide clear guidance and direction to contain the further spread of the virus and its deleterious impact to our lives and economy," she added.

Last March 9, the Philippines was placed under a state of national public health emergency following the surge of reported cases of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Classes on all levels have also been suspended for a week in Metro Manila.

In a three-day span, the confirmed cases rose quickly from six to 49 with most cases situated in the highly populated Metro Manila area. The virus surpassed the 14 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome recorded in 2003.

The DOH has also implemented ''social distancing'' measures, including the cancellation of public events that would host large groups of people and recommending telecommuting to those who can work from home, among others.

De Lima pointed out that the Filipino people have shown time and again that they can rise up to challenges, presently, the COVID-19 emergency, similar to the nationwide efforts to assist those affected by the recent eruption of Taal volcano.

"At this point, merely saying 'do not panic' repeatedly on-air would not hinder the virus from spreading havoc in the country. What the people need now is to see their government taking decisive actions to stay on top of the crisis," she added.

"Our government should ensure that access to reliable public utilities will remain unhindered. All should have access to right information, healthy food, clean supply of water, among others, to enable us to survive the brunt of this pandemic," she added.

De Lima also appealed to CSOs and the private sector to explore creative, doable and practical ways, such as distribution of pocket size bottles of rubbing alcohol, face masks and pocket tissues, to spare the public from being exposed to further risks.

In emergency situations such as a virus pandemic, the lady Senator from Bicol said that government institutions should be mindful of the basic human rights of the patients under monitoring or investigation and those that would be affected by quarantine or possible lockdown as they think of ways to stop the spread of the virus.

"In this time of crisis, we do not need crazy ramblings, crude jokes and fake news. Our people need and demand to be assured that our government is not sleeping or making light of their safety and well-being," she said.

"Many are already afraid. We can alleviate that fear by showing dignified responses and educated statements devoid of shady machinations to cover up the lack of governance and decisive action from our leaders," she added.



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The limited number of support centers of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) means that the country's capacity to conduct Covid-19 tests will be severely challenged if a widespread contagion takes place, Senator Imee Marcos said.

"Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa sinasabi ng DOH (Department of Health) kung ilan ba talaga ang kayang i-testing ng RITM bawat araw, Kahit limpak-limpak pa ang testing kit na bibilhin natin, kung kulang naman sa manpower, wala rin," Marcos said.

Marcos is calling for a bigger budget to modernize and expand the RITM in Muntinlupa, the country's main center for Covid-19 testing.

"Biruin nyo naman sa recent hearing naming ditto sa Senado, inamin mismo ng DOH na meron lang silang 2,000 testing kits. Tapos ang population natin over 100 million, e paano na 'yan sakaling lumobo pa ang maapektuhan?," Marcos said.

Marcos lamented that more than 30 years of government neglect towards the RITM has left it undermanned and ill-equipped to cope with the sudden appearance of new viruses and the spread of infection on a large scale.

"Mag-aapat na dekada na mula nung na-inaugurate ang RITM sa panahon pa ng tatay ko, pero sa mahabang panahon mukhang dinedma lang ang importansya ng RITM at halos walang nangyaring development," Marcos said.

At present, the RITM only has five sub-national centers that can perform Covid-19 testing: The Lung Center and San Lazaro Hospital in Metro Manila, Baguio City General Hospital, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu, and Southern Philippine Medical Center in Davao del Sur.

Marcos recommended that the RITM's regional presence be increased as soon as possible, starting with the high-population areas of Regions 3 to 5.

"Wala tayong duda sa galing ng Pinoy sa siyensya at kahapon lamang ay balitang may mga dalubhasa ng UP na naka-develop ng sarili nilang testing kits," Marcos said.

"Kapag nalampasan na natin ang pagsubok na ito, dapat na talagang seryosohin ang pag-pondo sa modernong equipment at research ng RITM at karagdagang manpower nito sa iba't ibang rehiyon," Marcos added.



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Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission on Appointments, this Representation as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nominations of three Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Committee likewise deliberated on the ad interim appointments of 10 Senior Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class II. Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the public hearing, determined that those who are with us in the plenary today are fit and qualified to be in the posts where they are nominated and appointed, and therefore ruled to recommend to the plenary their appointments for the consent and approval of this body.

It is therefore my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of the following Department of Foreign Affairs Senior Officers, namely:

AMBASSADOR MILLICENT CRUZ-PAREDES. A lawyer by profession, our appointee started as the managing partner of a private law firm before joining the Philippine Foreign Service in 1995. She was formerly a Consul at the Philippine Consulate in New York, United States of America from 2002 to 2008 prior to her appointment as the Chief Coordinator at the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

In her more than two decades of diplomatic service, she has gained recognition for her professional competence and organizational skills. In fact, she was credited for effectively managing the Department's budget, accounting, and auditing operations during her stints as the Acting Assistant Secretary of the DFA's Office of Fiscal Management from 2010 to 2012, and most recently, as the Assistant Secretary of the Internal Audit Service from July to December 2018.

Mr. Chairman, it is my privilege and honor to recommend that this body give its consent to the nomination of AMBASSADOR MILLICENT CRUZ-PAREDES as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class II.

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend to this august body to give its consent to the nomination of MR. RODOLFO DIA ROBLES as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Canada with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

Atty. Robles distinguished himself with exceptional credentials, including his feat as the 1967 Philippine Bar topnotcher. He is known as the author of Miranda Doctrine, the Constitutional Rights of an Accused under custodial investigation as well as the law creating the Office of the Ombudsman, earning for himself the moniker as the Father of Filipino Ombudsman or Tanodbayan.

Mr. Chairman, it is my honor and privilege to recommend that this body give its consent to the nomination of ATTY. RODOLFO DIA ROBLES as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Canada with the salary and emoluments of a Chief of Mission, Class I.

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

At this point, Mr. Chairman, I would also like to recommend to the Commission the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following officials to the rank of Foreign Service Officer II:

1. Mr. Theodore Andrei P. Bauzon*
2. Ms. Candy S. Cypres-Bauzon*
3. Ms. Nicole Therese A. de Castro*
4. Mr. Mikhail C. de Dios*
5. Ms. Maria Rosanna O. Josue*
6. Ms. Raisa A. Mabayo*
7. Mr. Siegfred T. Masangkay*
8. Ms. Shirley O. Nuevo
9. Mr. Ajeet Victor S. Panemanglor*
10. Mr. Ralf Gagara C. Roldan*

I so move, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

*Nine senior officials requested for waiver of appearance.



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Despite measly state support, our local scientists have given us a major boost - and much-needed hope - in dealing with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), by way of test kits developed by local experts at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health (UPNIH). Tests using these kits will cost less than 1/6 of those using imported kits.

I have repeatedly raised the issue of the minuscule budgetary allocation for research and development (R&D) in the national budget year in, year out - an average of, lo and behold, 0.4% of the annual budget from 2016 to 2020, including 0.39% for 2020. For the same five-year period, the DOST's average budget is only P20 billion or a meager 0.56% against the trillions of pesos that we pass every year as our national budget. This, even as I consistently amended the budget measure by augmenting the budgets of the Department of Science and Technology and its programs. For 2020, I sought a P50M increase for NICER, P100M increase for STAMINA4Space and a P100M increase for CRADLE; as well as P537.991M for UPLB's National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Had our homegrown scientists been given the much-needed additional budgetary support for R&D, who knows how much more they can contribute? As it is, by not supporting them adequately, we're wasting their talents and opportunities to help our nation.

This should be a wake-up call for our government officials who do not invest in research and development (R&D) through the budget, but instead are supplier-friendly "shopaholics" who choose to shop or buy from their "favorite" suppliers.

If only the kudos and support that our local scientists richly deserve, especially during these trying times, would be translated into increased support from our government.

Science entails research. Science can greatly help especially during looming disasters such as COVID-19. It is high time our government throw its support behind our homegrown scientists.



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"COVID-19 is a daily risk for the working and commuting public." This was the statement of Senator Risa Hontiveros as cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus or COVID-19 in the country hit 33.

Hontiveros on Wednesday urged the Department of Transportation [DOTr] and the Department of Health [DOH] to take necessary measures to minimize the risk of infection and protect the riding public.

"Marami pa rin sa atin ang kailangan pumasok araw-araw. The working and commuting public need access to working lavatories in our train and transport stations," urged the Senator. "For those na imposible ang sinasabing social distancing, kailangan natin i-minimize ang risk," she added.

"Comfort rooms in our transport terminals should be working and disinfected daily," Hontiveros said. "Clean lavatories with ample supply of soap and water in our train, bus, and transport stations should be part of our response against COVID," she added.

Hontiveros said that although hand sanitizers help, public health experts still advocate for frequent handwashing. "Hindi na pwede ang mga saradong palikuran sa mga transport terminals at train stations. The working and commuting public's need to wash their hands frequently with soap and water is now a matter of public health," she further noted.

The Senator also advocated that those in the frontlines of the transport sector be given protective gear like masks and hand sanitizers to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

"The risk is high for jeepney and bus drivers, and those who man our train stations. Every day, they are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of people," Hontiveros said. "DOTr and our transport operators should come up with a mechanism to ensure that our drivers and conductors have access to these protective gear," she urged.

"Public transport is a public health issue. We need to provide our commuters with clean, efficient, and safe public transport and public spaces. Otherwise, we are putting them at a higher risk to contract the virus," she concluded.



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To avert shortages arising from disasters such as the reported shortages of supplies in different parts of the globe due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) scare, Senator Richard J. Gordon reiterated the need for the government to stockpile on strategic supplies.

Gordon reiterated this during the continuation of the hearing conducted by the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises on Senate Bill No. 1347 which seeks to amend the charter of the Philippine International Trading Corporation in order to empower it to handle the proposed stockpiling.

"Ang amendment dito ay in-empower natin iyong PITC na maghandle ng strategic and critical supplies para sa ganun mayroon tayong gamit hindi katulad ngayon na nauubusan tayo ng masks. Naubusan tayo ng PPEs, naubusan tayo ng gamot. So, ang gagawin dito palaging mayroon silang stocks," he said, adding that the bill is about intelligence gathering, not against any human enemy but against the enemy of man which is basically sloth, lack of vision and, you know, no forward thinking and "bahala na" attitude.

Gordon, who chairs the committee, said the PITC's capital stock would be increased, adding that the they will consider increasing to P5-billion the P1-billion proposed by Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez to ensure sufficient stocks of necessary supplies but the senator also pointed to the need for regular assessment of threats and inventory of stocks such as face masks, personal protective equipment, long shelf-life food like canned goods and rice, medicines, and blood bags, to name a few.

He also explained that the bill authorizes the PITC to create warehouses in strategic places, like what other countries do, or make arrangements with manufacturers for the storage of the procured supplies.

"The idea is to preposition the equipment and strategic supplies so that when we need it, it's out right away. And hindi iyong kakapa-kapa tayo," Gordon, who authored the bill, stressed.



*WORK from HOME and START YOUR OWN blog site, business or personal website, or e-commerce store at www.hostwinds.com

[start recording]

Q: Good morning, Sir and thank you for joining us.

SEN WIN: Good morning, Christian.

SUSPENSION OF GRADUATION RITES

Q: The Philippine government has implemented a number of measures to prevent what they fear could be a sustained community transmission. But in your case, you are trying to push the envelope further and in particular, suspending graduation and moving up ceremonies. Is this really needed?

SEN WIN: Well, the daycare graduation will start next week. And then, the moving up ceremonies and senior high school graduations and the tertiary graduation will commence two weeks from now and so on. Typically, in a graduation and moving up ceremonies, you have families from abroad. We have OFWs coming back and participating in the ceremonies. So we have people from abroad coming in and also the congregation of people in one single place. What we're urging the DepEd and CHED for this matter is to suspend it first because the situation is changing very rapidly ever yday. In the last three days, we have seen an increase in the COVID incidences. Almost 20 number of people and we expect this to escalate even further so this to encourage our kababayans to make plans ahead of time. Those OFWs coming in, they should be, as early as now, to tell them that this type of ceremonies and graduation will be suspended until further notice. We will not cancel it because this type of ceremonies is very important to families. Gustong naman nila makita ang kanilang anak na maglakad sa entamblado, but to stop the transmission and to prevent the possibility of OFWs coming in inadvertently, possibly bringing in some of the viruses outside, we have to tell them in advance that it will be suspended until further notice.

Q: If that's your proposal, why not come up with other proposals that could actually further help prevent the sustained community transmission. In this case, the people are pushing the government to implement already lockdown of certain areas not to wait until more cases are recorded.

SEN WIN: Lockdown is difficult to implement unless you are like China who can really flex its muscles and lockdown the entire provinces. If you see the experience of Italy, when they lockdown the entire country, it is very difficult to implement because you have a lot of entry and exit points. I want to urge the DOH to study the Korean model wherein they didn't lockdown Korea but they implemented a massive testing activity wherein they already tested 140,000 patients there. Meaning, if you already feel something, whether you have history of traveling abroad or just within Korea, you have to be tested.

COVID-19 TESTING KITS

Q: One problem is we don't necessarily have that big a number of testing kits.

SEN WIN: Correct. The locally invented testing kits from UP is a game changer in terms of curving COVID-19 in our country. Game changer, meaning, because it is affordable, it's locally available and can be given to local governments. Right now, the local governments have a protocol, so first they ask if you have traveled abroad. Kapag hindi ka nagtravel abroad and then you are sick, you are not brought to RITM to be tested. Right now, we have seen local transmissions. We have seen people who haven't traveled abroad but they are contracting the disease. So we are thinking, give these testing kits at the local level and test it as fast as possible. Implement that Korean model where they test everyone who feels that they are sick and they can contain the disease in their homes limiting their movement within the community.

Q: But do we have the resources to actually fund such a massive testing of possible cases?

SEN WIN: Correct. That is why there are two important things here. One, the kits should be very affordable. It can be given to the local government, they can be tasked to do this. Of course, subject to very strict protocols and guidelines of the DOH. Two, this is where Congress will come in to allocate additional budget to buy these testing kits and also additional budget to make sure that protocols will be followed. But the protocols are very costly because you need to buy protective suits, specialized vehicles, additional power and training.

Q: How about the possibility of passing a supplemental budget? This is the last day of session before you go on break by tomorrow.

SEN WIN: The President can call for an emergency session, if need be. If the President thinks that there's an urgent matter. For example, a supplemental budget to give DOH and other government agencies additional funding for them to conduct testing and also to conduct other mitigating measures, he can call Congress to convene.

Q: Do you think the President should call for an executive session?

SEN WIN: This situation is changing very rapidly. This should already be in the horizon. The DOH and also the economic managers should already think about this because the situation is changing very rapidly. In situations like this, we should already start planning for the worst. Of course, we hope for the best, again, the testing kits are already here but we have to already plan ahead of time because the situation is rapidly evolving.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET & STIMULUS PACKAGE

Q: Yesterday, the House Appropriation Committee approved the proposed 1.6 billion supplemental budget but again, you are going on break starting tomorrow so what do you think? Should there be a special session to talk about this particular supplemental budget to make sure that funding would go for those projects that you mentioned?

SEN WIN: Correct. If need be, if the Senate needs to be called and to convene and to approve this, we are ready to approve the supplemental budget and also to other stimulus packages. Definitely, our economy will be hard hit by this virus and we are forecasting a very slow growth in the first quarter. We need to pump the economy, we need to spend as fast as we can, we need to inject new budget in order to boost up the economy.

Q: What kind of a specific stimulus package are you thinking of?

SEN WIN: I'm thinking of looking at the tourism industry because it will be badly hit. We have airlines, shipping lines, hotels and I am worried of the small and micro businesses--the tour guides, the drivers, the bangkeros in the island, they will be badly hit with the slowdown in tourism. We need to have some stimulus packages that can cascade down to the small and micro businesses.

Q: Like what proposals are you thinking of as part of the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: The fastest way is cash transfer and also subsidies to the tourism sector especially small and micro businesses. For example, incentive packages or direct subsidies to these business so that they can survive the slowdown in tourism in the next three to six months.

Q: Yes, because I think one concern also is a lot of employees, for example, in the labor sector are thinking that this is just a temporary problem.

SEN WIN: Correct. Well, I know for a fact that some of the airlines are already calling for forced leaves. They are now asking their employees to do forced leaves. Some of the hotels are also doing the same. We just have to make sure that we have the available funds to help them survive for three to six months. It will be very difficult for them, to recover after that. We need to have a bridging stimulus program in order to boost industry players to survive.

Q: Are Senators already in touch with the economic managers to discuss of the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: Definitely. On our won, we are also studying this issue. We have numbers in mind.

Q: What numbers? For tourism industry, for example?

SEN WIN: In our own computation, we will need about 28 billion only for the tourism industry. Although again, the situation is changing very rapidly. If some of the cases will sprout in some of the provinces, especially tourism-related provinces, you will see a lot of impact in tourism-related provinces.

Q: Yes because there is a lot of economic activity that is affected by this.

SEN WIN: Correct. Definitely, it really depends on how the evolution of this trials will be. If this will be contained in Metro Manila, then some of the provinces will continue to conduct their business in their tourism areas but if it will spread in other tourism areas related provinces, then we will have to increase the budget in order to support them.

Q: The P28 billion stimulus package for the tourism industry that you have in mind, what is the time frame of this when it comes to lingering effect of COVID-19?

SEN WIN: In our computation, it will be available in the next three to six months and the mechanism should enable the government to cascade it down in micro and small businesses. From what I said earlier, the tourism isn't only limited to hotels and airlines, you also have tour guides, the bangkeros, the drivers of the vans and these people will be very hardly hit.

Q: Of the 28 billion stimulus package, is it purely concentrated on cash transfers?

SEN WIN: Depends. It will be mix of subsidies, incentive packages, it will be mixed.

Q: How does incentive package work?

SEN WIN: For example, in hotels, they can lower down the rates and then the government can come in also and support the lower down of rates to give additional support in terms of their operations. Incentives, in a sense, can lower down the rates so they can attract the customers then government can come in in terms of the incentives. For example, internally in conferences and meetings even within the country, I know for a fact that a lot of local conferences are being canceled, a lot of local meetings are being cancelled and also a lot of tour packages are cancelled for the summer. Even our local tourism industries are being hit by cancellations within the Philippines.

Q: The 28 billion package that you mentioned is only limited for the tourism industry. How about for other sectors that are being affected and will be affected?

SEN WIN: Right now, we are still conducting the study because that is on a very large scale and the situation is changing very rapidly. For example, the supply chains, manufacturing will be hit. China has slowed down and definitely, the economy and output there will definitely slow down, and we supply components to China so lot of our manufacturing firms will also be hit in our country. That is the larger study that we are conducting.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Q: Yes, actually because they were saying study conducted by the ADB, in a worst case scenario, this COVID-19 threat could actually take of .59% of the total GDP then of course might affect more than 250,000--

SEN WIN: Correct, because we supply two factories in China we also supply two factories in Asia wherein they are experiencing slowdown right down and the inter-supply to America which is also slowing down because of the virus. The economic activity globally is slowing down, us being part of the supply chain will feel that crunch in the next few months.

Q: How about the minimum wage earners who are also affected by this slowdown because of the COVID threat?

SEN WIN: A lot of the job order workers, workers who are contracted because of a specific product, minimum wage earners, we will see some lay-offs in the next 3 to 6 months. The Department of Labor (DOLE) will be ready with some sort of package to support them, whether say cash transfer or other means to help them with their job, we have to be ready with that, that is a larger study definitely.

Q: Is there some portions of the GAA that can be used for the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: The initial reaction will be the Calamity Fund, the Calamity Fund is a broad fund that we can use in any form of calamity whether man-made, whether medical related or naturally related--we can tap into that right away, however if we need to increase it we can also implement a supplemental budget to augment that calamity fund.

Q: The supplemental budget that was passed in the house committee on appropriations, 1.6 billion? is that enough?

SEN WIN: This is meant to help the government to buy the equipment the necessary needs to fight the virus and definitely it's not part of the stimulus package that we are thinking--

Q: But for example aside from the protective equipment, you also need to provide more funds for government hospitals, will they be able to deal with the influx of patients?

SEN WIN: This is actually to prepare in an event that this will spread in communities, in other parts of our country, we have to already start preparing, we have to make sure that we have the capacity, we have the facilities and we have the equipment to treat the patients. So these are the things they need to forecast, in the first initial supplemental budget is just to prepare but since the cases are increasing rapidly we also have to prepare for the worst.

Q: What do you think of the way the DOH has been dealing with the outbreaks so far? During the last hearing in yout chamber, there was a lot of criticism that were hurled by some of your collegues on some members of the DOH supposedly because they were not prepared when it comes to testing possible cases, 2,000 testing kits with the population of more than 100 million?

SEN WIN: In due fairness to the DOH, I saw some of their statements and they said they this virus is inevitable, that it will come to the Philippines and they have been warning the public to be more proactive in terms of mitigating this virus by washing hands and conducting simple measures, however, the kits became the bottleneck and the kits as I understand it, it became a bottleneck because of cost and availability that's why the UP testing kits were broadcasted, it became a game-changer because it will become affordable, again, we have to engage the LGUs, the country is so big, we have islands, a lot of LGUs, we need to engage LGUs and help them and empower them to do all these tests.

Q: DOH also said that time not everyone supposedly tested yet because you had certain indicators?

SEN WIN: The first indicator there is, have you travelled abroad? And I know for a fact, for example in Valenzuela we had some initial patients there but the first question was have you travelled or not? If you haven't travelled abroad you will not be tested. Good enough this person tested negative but again right now because of the local transfers happening, I think it's not whether you have travelled or not travelled abroad, you need to get tested already.

There is already localized transmission and if we can contain that person, avoiding movement from that person would be the best case and we see that in Korea wherein they were testing everyone, people were lining up in the streets, lining up in their kiosk, they put up booth there, like a drive thru booth where people can be tested inside their cars. The message there is, if you are sick and you want be tested, go ahead and get tested and encourage people to get tested so that they can contain it on a person level, not on a local level or community level.

Q: Possible special session that might be conducted for the stimulus and the supplemental budget as part of the agenda, I don't think that would be difficult because most lawmakers will be in the country?

SEN WIN: Correct, I think no one will be travelling this time especially abroad because first of all we want to discourage the public from travelling abroad. I think I saw in the list a few of the patients there who contracted the Corona virus came from vacations, came from travelling abroad so if you can avoid travelling especially on non-essential reasons, avoid travelling, stay in the country and make sure you are available to government because the when you travel here inadvertently, you won't know whether you have contracted it in the plane or contracted outside, It's highly possible because the virus is spreading around rapidly in the different parts of the world.

Q: Now let's go to the second most important issue, I'm talking about the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the industry itself, there has been a lot of talk when it comes to the social cost of this particular industry the criminality that is attached to that operation, the President doesn't seem keen on closing down the sector itself but he wants to simply regulate it?

SEN WIN: Well this is a fact, POGOs brought crime to our country and this is well established in a lot of hearings and research conducted and you have to look at the nature of this business. Number one; it's illegal in China therefore the persons or the people who are operating this businesses will be the ones doing underground business such as syndicates. So, it's not far from POGO that syndicates operate this businesses and you can see that by looking at the data, with the rise of POGO are the rise of syndicates who are already here in as evidenced by the 700 fugitives operating in our country. Nakakatakot, instead of making our community safe, making our Barangays safe, people are now alarmed because of the syndicates operating here in the country. POGO is not a long-term business you can't have a business wherein the origin of your customers is saying this is illegal, you cannot also have a business where syndicates operate it. This is a short-term business and what's happening right now we are saying these businesses are here, some of our kababayans are employed in these businesses but this is not long-term most of their employees are Chinese, only 15% of the this POGO business are locals and were just giving locals false jobs security because this is not sustainable I don't see this business becoming long-term, I don't even see it surviving in the next ten or even twenty years. This is not like the BPO industry wherein they have been operating here for the last 14 years and growing and evolving into a higher tech industry but POGO because of the nature of this business, meaning, your main source of revenue is saying this is illegal and now, China is implementing stricter measures by cancelling passports of these businesses. So you can see the uncertainty that is surrounding this POGO business and if you have uncertainty, that cannot be long-term so point here is we don't want businesses that are not long-term, we want to have long-term sustainable businesses that will create jobs, that will create innovation and definitely make our country a safer place to live in. right now, it's not safe.

Q: Thinking of economic benefits of its operations, if we are to compare the experience of the Philippines with that of Cambodia basically the social cost is the same? But unlike the Philippines, Cambodia decided to close down their entire POGO industry, they don't call it POGO by the way, online gambling in Cambodia consistent with the position of the China but I think the key difference is that, when it comes to the Philippines, China is not exactly telling the Philippines to close down the industry but to crackdown the illegal industry. Some of the position of the government so far, we're getting the economic benefits?

SEN WIN: When you attract investments in the Philippines of course we want investments to come in our country. During the early stages of POGO in 2016, I had a different take on that because I looked at it as an investment, I looked at it as fresh money, fresh funds coming in the Philippines but from 2016 to 2019, we've seen that POGO is not what we are expecting, not as big and not as we are expecting because with the rise of POGO in our country, there were also rise in criminality, rise in corruption because you also see the Pastillas scheme happening in the Bureau if Immigration, we have to thank Senator Risa Hontiveros for bringing it up because it was really shocking to see the frontline people who should protect our borders are now allowing fugitives, these are criminals coming into our country. This is very alarming and then with the rise of POGO you also see tax evasion, we want companies here to pay the right taxes, the BPO industry is doing that, the multi-nationals are doing that, the manufacturing industry is doing that. They come here with the direction of we will help build the nation by paying the right taxes but sa POGO iba eh, when they came here, in fact, I have seen some documents, the first instance is, how can we circumvent the law, how can we get documents without talking to governments, hence we have now visas for sale, we have driver's license for sale, illegal driver's license for sale even illegal tin numbers for sale which is not the right way of conducting business in our country.

Q: AMLC, during the last hearing, NEDA disclosed, coming from the POGO industry, 7 billion?

SEN WIN: 7 billion, in fact you look at the entire POGO industry, the entire POGO industry is about 360 billion pesos but the 360 billion pesos is nowhere to be found because the only money that comes in to our country is 7 billion, so where is that 360 billion? everything is being done in the internet, it's very hard to track it and its very hard to assert accountability.

[end of recording]

[start recording]

Q: Good morning, Sir and thank you for joining us.

SEN WIN: Good morning, Christian.

SUSPENSION OF GRADUATION RITES

Q: The Philippine government has implemented a number of measures to prevent what they fear could be a sustained community transmission. But in your case, you are trying to push the envelope further and in particular, suspending graduation and moving up ceremonies. Is this really needed?

SEN WIN: Well, the daycare graduation will start next week. And then, the moving up ceremonies and senior high school graduations and the tertiary graduation will commence two weeks from now and so on. Typically, in a graduation and moving up ceremonies, you have families from abroad. We have OFWs coming back and participating in the ceremonies. So we have people from abroad coming in and also the congregation of people in one single place. What we're urging the DepEd and CHED for this matter is to suspend it first because the situation is changing very rapidly ever yday. In the last three days, we have seen an increase in the COVID incidences. Almost 20 number of people and we expect this to escalate even further so this to encourage our kababayans to make plans ahead of time. Those OFWs coming in, they should be, as early as now, to tell them that this type of ceremonies and graduation will be suspended until further notice. We will not cancel it because this type of ceremonies is very important to families. Gustong naman nila makita ang kanilang anak na maglakad sa entamblado, but to stop the transmission and to prevent the possibility of OFWs coming in inadvertently, possibly bringing in some of the viruses outside, we have to tell them in advance that it will be suspended until further notice.

Q: If that's your proposal, why not come up with other proposals that could actually further help prevent the sustained community transmission. In this case, the people are pushing the government to implement already lockdown of certain areas not to wait until more cases are recorded.

SEN WIN: Lockdown is difficult to implement unless you are like China who can really flex its muscles and lockdown the entire provinces. If you see the experience of Italy, when they lockdown the entire country, it is very difficult to implement because you have a lot of entry and exit points. I want to urge the DOH to study the Korean model wherein they didn't lockdown Korea but they implemented a massive testing activity wherein they already tested 140,000 patients there. Meaning, if you already feel something, whether you have history of traveling abroad or just within Korea, you have to be tested.

COVID-19 TESTING KITS

Q: One problem is we don't necessarily have that big a number of testing kits.

SEN WIN: Correct. The locally invented testing kits from UP is a game changer in terms of curving COVID-19 in our country. Game changer, meaning, because it is affordable, it's locally available and can be given to local governments. Right now, the local governments have a protocol, so first they ask if you have traveled abroad. Kapag hindi ka nagtravel abroad and then you are sick, you are not brought to RITM to be tested. Right now, we have seen local transmissions. We have seen people who haven't traveled abroad but they are contracting the disease. So we are thinking, give these testing kits at the local level and test it as fast as possible. Implement that Korean model where they test everyone who feels that they are sick and they can contain the disease in their homes limiting their movement within the community.

Q: But do we have the resources to actually fund such a massive testing of possible cases?

SEN WIN: Correct. That is why there are two important things here. One, the kits should be very affordable. It can be given to the local government, they can be tasked to do this. Of course, subject to very strict protocols and guidelines of the DOH. Two, this is where Congress will come in to allocate additional budget to buy these testing kits and also additional budget to make sure that protocols will be followed. But the protocols are very costly because you need to buy protective suits, specialized vehicles, additional power and training.

Q: How about the possibility of passing a supplemental budget? This is the last day of session before you go on break by tomorrow.

SEN WIN: The President can call for an emergency session, if need be. If the President thinks that there's an urgent matter. For example, a supplemental budget to give DOH and other government agencies additional funding for them to conduct testing and also to conduct other mitigating measures, he can call Congress to convene.

Q: Do you think the President should call for an executive session?

SEN WIN: This situation is changing very rapidly. This should already be in the horizon. The DOH and also the economic managers should already think about this because the situation is changing very rapidly. In situations like this, we should already start planning for the worst. Of course, we hope for the best, again, the testing kits are already here but we have to already plan ahead of time because the situation is rapidly evolving.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET & STIMULUS PACKAGE

Q: Yesterday, the House Appropriation Committee approved the proposed 1.6 billion supplemental budget but again, you are going on break starting tomorrow so what do you think? Should there be a special session to talk about this particular supplemental budget to make sure that funding would go for those projects that you mentioned?

SEN WIN: Correct. If need be, if the Senate needs to be called and to convene and to approve this, we are ready to approve the supplemental budget and also to other stimulus packages. Definitely, our economy will be hard hit by this virus and we are forecasting a very slow growth in the first quarter. We need to pump the economy, we need to spend as fast as we can, we need to inject new budget in order to boost up the economy.

Q: What kind of a specific stimulus package are you thinking of?

SEN WIN: I'm thinking of looking at the tourism industry because it will be badly hit. We have airlines, shipping lines, hotels and I am worried of the small and micro businesses--the tour guides, the drivers, the bangkeros in the island, they will be badly hit with the slowdown in tourism. We need to have some stimulus packages that can cascade down to the small and micro businesses.

Q: Like what proposals are you thinking of as part of the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: The fastest way is cash transfer and also subsidies to the tourism sector especially small and micro businesses. For example, incentive packages or direct subsidies to these business so that they can survive the slowdown in tourism in the next three to six months.

Q: Yes, because I think one concern also is a lot of employees, for example, in the labor sector are thinking that this is just a temporary problem.

SEN WIN: Correct. Well, I know for a fact that some of the airlines are already calling for forced leaves. They are now asking their employees to do forced leaves. Some of the hotels are also doing the same. We just have to make sure that we have the available funds to help them survive for three to six months. It will be very difficult for them, to recover after that. We need to have a bridging stimulus program in order to boost industry players to survive.

Q: Are Senators already in touch with the economic managers to discuss of the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: Definitely. On our won, we are also studying this issue. We have numbers in mind.

Q: What numbers? For tourism industry, for example?

SEN WIN: In our own computation, we will need about 28 billion only for the tourism industry. Although again, the situation is changing very rapidly. If some of the cases will sprout in some of the provinces, especially tourism-related provinces, you will see a lot of impact in tourism-related provinces.

Q: Yes because there is a lot of economic activity that is affected by this.

SEN WIN: Correct. Definitely, it really depends on how the evolution of this trials will be. If this will be contained in Metro Manila, then some of the provinces will continue to conduct their business in their tourism areas but if it will spread in other tourism areas related provinces, then we will have to increase the budget in order to support them.

Q: The P28 billion stimulus package for the tourism industry that you have in mind, what is the time frame of this when it comes to lingering effect of COVID-19?

SEN WIN: In our computation, it will be available in the next three to six months and the mechanism should enable the government to cascade it down in micro and small businesses. From what I said earlier, the tourism isn't only limited to hotels and airlines, you also have tour guides, the bangkeros, the drivers of the vans and these people will be very hardly hit.

Q: Of the 28 billion stimulus package, is it purely concentrated on cash transfers?

SEN WIN: Depends. It will be mix of subsidies, incentive packages, it will be mixed.

Q: How does incentive package work?

SEN WIN: For example, in hotels, they can lower down the rates and then the government can come in also and support the lower down of rates to give additional support in terms of their operations. Incentives, in a sense, can lower down the rates so they can attract the customers then government can come in in terms of the incentives. For example, internally in conferences and meetings even within the country, I know for a fact that a lot of local conferences are being canceled, a lot of local meetings are being cancelled and also a lot of tour packages are cancelled for the summer. Even our local tourism industries are being hit by cancellations within the Philippines.

Q: The 28 billion package that you mentioned is only limited for the tourism industry. How about for other sectors that are being affected and will be affected?

SEN WIN: Right now, we are still conducting the study because that is on a very large scale and the situation is changing very rapidly. For example, the supply chains, manufacturing will be hit. China has slowed down and definitely, the economy and output there will definitely slow down, and we supply components to China so lot of our manufacturing firms will also be hit in our country. That is the larger study that we are conducting.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Q: Yes, actually because they were saying study conducted by the ADB, in a worst case scenario, this COVID-19 threat could actually take of .59% of the total GDP then of course might affect more than 250,000--

SEN WIN: Correct, because we supply two factories in China we also supply two factories in Asia wherein they are experiencing slowdown right down and the inter-supply to America which is also slowing down because of the virus. The economic activity globally is slowing down, us being part of the supply chain will feel that crunch in the next few months.

Q: How about the minimum wage earners who are also affected by this slowdown because of the COVID threat?

SEN WIN: A lot of the job order workers, workers who are contracted because of a specific product, minimum wage earners, we will see some lay-offs in the next 3 to 6 months. The Department of Labor (DOLE) will be ready with some sort of package to support them, whether say cash transfer or other means to help them with their job, we have to be ready with that, that is a larger study definitely.

Q: Is there some portions of the GAA that can be used for the stimulus package?

SEN WIN: The initial reaction will be the Calamity Fund, the Calamity Fund is a broad fund that we can use in any form of calamity whether man-made, whether medical related or naturally related--we can tap into that right away, however if we need to increase it we can also implement a supplemental budget to augment that calamity fund.

Q: The supplemental budget that was passed in the house committee on appropriations, 1.6 billion? is that enough?

SEN WIN: This is meant to help the government to buy the equipment the necessary needs to fight the virus and definitely it's not part of the stimulus package that we are thinking--

Q: But for example aside from the protective equipment, you also need to provide more funds for government hospitals, will they be able to deal with the influx of patients?

SEN WIN: This is actually to prepare in an event that this will spread in communities, in other parts of our country, we have to already start preparing, we have to make sure that we have the capacity, we have the facilities and we have the equipment to treat the patients. So these are the things they need to forecast, in the first initial supplemental budget is just to prepare but since the cases are increasing rapidly we also have to prepare for the worst.

Q: What do you think of the way the DOH has been dealing with the outbreaks so far? During the last hearing in yout chamber, there was a lot of criticism that were hurled by some of your collegues on some members of the DOH supposedly because they were not prepared when it comes to testing possible cases, 2,000 testing kits with the population of more than 100 million?

SEN WIN: In due fairness to the DOH, I saw some of their statements and they said they this virus is inevitable, that it will come to the Philippines and they have been warning the public to be more proactive in terms of mitigating this virus by washing hands and conducting simple measures, however, the kits became the bottleneck and the kits as I understand it, it became a bottleneck because of cost and availability that's why the UP testing kits were broadcasted, it became a game-changer because it will become affordable, again, we have to engage the LGUs, the country is so big, we have islands, a lot of LGUs, we need to engage LGUs and help them and empower them to do all these tests.

Q: DOH also said that time not everyone supposedly tested yet because you had certain indicators?

SEN WIN: The first indicator there is, have you travelled abroad? And I know for a fact, for example in Valenzuela we had some initial patients there but the first question was have you travelled or not? If you haven't travelled abroad you will not be tested. Good enough this person tested negative but again right now because of the local transfers happening, I think it's not whether you have travelled or not travelled abroad, you need to get tested already.

There is already localized transmission and if we can contain that person, avoiding movement from that person would be the best case and we see that in Korea wherein they were testing everyone, people were lining up in the streets, lining up in their kiosk, they put up booth there, like a drive thru booth where people can be tested inside their cars. The message there is, if you are sick and you want be tested, go ahead and get tested and encourage people to get tested so that they can contain it on a person level, not on a local level or community level.

Q: Possible special session that might be conducted for the stimulus and the supplemental budget as part of the agenda, I don't think that would be difficult because most lawmakers will be in the country?

SEN WIN: Correct, I think no one will be travelling this time especially abroad because first of all we want to discourage the public from travelling abroad. I think I saw in the list a few of the patients there who contracted the Corona virus came from vacations, came from travelling abroad so if you can avoid travelling especially on non-essential reasons, avoid travelling, stay in the country and make sure you are available to government because the when you travel here inadvertently, you won't know whether you have contracted it in the plane or contracted outside, It's highly possible because the virus is spreading around rapidly in the different parts of the world.

Q: Now let's go to the second most important issue, I'm talking about the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the industry itself, there has been a lot of talk when it comes to the social cost of this particular industry the criminality that is attached to that operation, the President doesn't seem keen on closing down the sector itself but he wants to simply regulate it?

SEN WIN: Well this is a fact, POGOs brought crime to our country and this is well established in a lot of hearings and research conducted and you have to look at the nature of this business. Number one; it's illegal in China therefore the persons or the people who are operating this businesses will be the ones doing underground business such as syndicates. So, it's not far from POGO that syndicates operate this businesses and you can see that by looking at the data, with the rise of POGO are the rise of syndicates who are already here in as evidenced by the 700 fugitives operating in our country. Nakakatakot, instead of making our community safe, making our Barangays safe, people are now alarmed because of the syndicates operating here in the country. POGO is not a long-term business you can't have a business wherein the origin of your customers is saying this is illegal, you cannot also have a business where syndicates operate it. This is a short-term business and what's happening right now we are saying these businesses are here, some of our kababayans are employed in these businesses but this is not long-term most of their employees are Chinese, only 15% of the this POGO business are locals and were just giving locals false jobs security because this is not sustainable I don't see this business becoming long-term, I don't even see it surviving in the next ten or even twenty years. This is not like the BPO industry wherein they have been operating here for the last 14 years and growing and evolving into a higher tech industry but POGO because of the nature of this business, meaning, your main source of revenue is saying this is illegal and now, China is implementing stricter measures by cancelling passports of these businesses. So you can see the uncertainty that is surrounding this POGO business and if you have uncertainty, that cannot be long-term so point here is we don't want businesses that are not long-term, we want to have long-term sustainable businesses that will create jobs, that will create innovation and definitely make our country a safer place to live in. right now, it's not safe.

Q: Thinking of economic benefits of its operations, if we are to compare the experience of the Philippines with that of Cambodia basically the social cost is the same? But unlike the Philippines, Cambodia decided to close down their entire POGO industry, they don't call it POGO by the way, online gambling in Cambodia consistent with the position of the China but I think the key difference is that, when it comes to the Philippines, China is not exactly telling the Philippines to close down the industry but to crackdown the illegal industry. Some of the position of the government so far, we're getting the economic benefits?

SEN WIN: When you attract investments in the Philippines of course we want investments to come in our country. During the early stages of POGO in 2016, I had a different take on that because I looked at it as an investment, I looked at it as fresh money, fresh funds coming in the Philippines but from 2016 to 2019, we've seen that POGO is not what we are expecting, not as big and not as we are expecting because with the rise of POGO in our country, there were also rise in criminality, rise in corruption because you also see the Pastillas scheme happening in the Bureau if Immigration, we have to thank Senator Risa Hontiveros for bringing it up because it was really shocking to see the frontline people who should protect our borders are now allowing fugitives, these are criminals coming into our country. This is very alarming and then with the rise of POGO you also see tax evasion, we want companies here to pay the right taxes, the BPO industry is doing that, the multi-nationals are doing that, the manufacturing industry is doing that. They come here with the direction of we will help build the nation by paying the right taxes but sa POGO iba eh, when they came here, in fact, I have seen some documents, the first instance is, how can we circumvent the law, how can we get documents without talking to governments, hence we have now visas for sale, we have driver's license for sale, illegal driver's license for sale even illegal tin numbers for sale which is not the right way of conducting business in our country.

Q: AMLC, during the last hearing, NEDA disclosed, coming from the POGO industry, 7 billion?

SEN WIN: 7 billion, in fact you look at the entire POGO industry, the entire POGO industry is about 360 billion pesos but the 360 billion pesos is nowhere to be found because the only money that comes in to our country is 7 billion, so where is that 360 billion? everything is being done in the internet, it's very hard to track it and its very hard to assert accountability.

[end of recording]



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During times of crisis, our government should ensure that access to reliable public utilities and vital services remain unhindered. All should have access to right information, healthy food, clean supply of water, among others, to enable us to survive the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.

I make this urgent appeal as a Filipino, a Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development.

Kailangan po nating pagtuunan ng pansin, hindi lang ang mga apektado na ng sakit, kundi pati na ang mga kababayan nating mas nangangailangan at matagal nang pinagkakaitan ng maayos na serbisyo. Silang laging nakikipagsapalaran sa hirap at mas humaharap sa banta ng pagkakasakit-ang mga araw-araw na binubuno ang pagsisiksikan sa MRT at LRT; ang mga contractual workers na sa kabila ng peligrong dala ng bagyo, lindol, malalang sakit o delubyo ay papasok pa rin para may masweldo; ang maghapon-magdamag na kumakayod at nagpapagod sa trabaho pero kapos pa rin ang inihahaing pagkain para sa pamilya; ang mga maralita na kahit may iniindang karamdaman ay walang maipambili ng gamot at pipiliing magtiis at mamatay sa bahay dahil walang pambayad sa ospital.

We need a government and a leader who can serve assiduously and communicate clearly. Let's stop foolish bravado, nonsensical jokes and hysteria, and provide clear guidance and direction to contain the further spread of the virus and its grave impact to our lives and economy.

Lalong lulubha ang sitwasyon kung may pinuno tayong hindi laging mahagilap, makupad pang kumilos at sabog-sabog mag-isip. Hindi rin po matatapos ang epidemya kung sarili at kapamilya lamang ang sinisikap nating maisalba. Lalong kakalat ang sakit kung magpapanic at kung uunahin ang pagka-makasarili.

Ngayon, higit kailanman, tinatawagan tayong magkaisa, mag-ingat, magmalasakit, magdasal.



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I welcome President Rodrigo Duterte's certification as urgent the Senate's version of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA).

This Presidential directive underscores the urgency to forge a more fair, efficient, and accountable tax system - one that should foster a stronger economy amid the many challenges our country is facing.

The certification also affirms the position earlier taken by our top economic managers, finance experts, and various business organizations fully backing SBN 1357.

The Senate version of CITIRA is a result of the successive discussions our committee conducted with investors to address their concerns. And what we repeatedly heard from various stakeholders is that we need to pass this measure.

Like the President, I am hopeful that passing CITIRA will end all uncertainty, assure investors of a more level playing field in terms of doing business in the country, and lead to a brighter and more sustainable future for all Filipinos.



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