Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) — Local governments, which are running low on funds needed to confront the coronavirus disease outbreak, are set to receive financial help, the Department of Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.
“We will make available some P275 billion to augment ang sinasabing kakulangan ng ating mga LGU dahil nga ‘yung kanilang quick response fund ay paubos na,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a briefing.
[Translation: We will make available some P275 billion to augment the depleting quick response funds of local government units.]
The newly approved law giving President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to stem the spread of COVID-19 made this possible, Malaya said.
Duterte can exercise these special powers for three months, unless extended or withdrawn sooner by Congress.
The president will also be given authority to provide over 18 million low-income households an emergency subsidy worth between ₱5,000 and ₱8,000 for one month to two months.
Also, a compensation of ₱100,000 may be granted by the president to public and private health workers who may contract severe COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty.
The DILG official also explained authorities are prioritizing the poor during this health crisis amid complaints some people have not received any help from the government.
“Ang inuuna po ng gobyerno ay isang kahig, isang tuka.”
[Translation: The government is giving priority to the poorest citizens.]
On March 17, Duterte placed the whole of Luzon under enhanced community quarantine, restricting people’s movement in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.
