“It’s hard for us,” Angel Locsin on Teddy Locsin Jr.’s tweet about masks

• Angel Locsin told the secretary that the people are having a hard time purchasing masks as stocks are being hoarded by politicians and big companies.
• The actress also gave her two cents about the government’s actions to contain the virus. 

The COVID-19 situation in the country is only getting worse as an “enhanced community quarantine” has been implemented on the whole island of Luzon.

On March 16, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo addressed the public about President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders regarding the government’s plans to contain the fast-spreading virus.

However, a netizen noticed an important thing about Panelo’s appearance: His mask. A Twitter user pointed out how the spokesperson’s mask was upside down and how he’s supposed to wear his glasses over the mask, not under it.

Two important things wrong with this picture:

1. The mask is upside down.
2. You wear your glasses OVER the mask.#BeInformed #AskGoyo pic.twitter.com/qKlRo6TgnS

— Goyo Y. Larrazabal (@GoyYLarrazabal) March 16, 2020

Another netizen retweeted the post with the words “small things matter” which earned a response from Tourism Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

“He is beside me and he has it all right. Cmon we’re in this together. We’re all doing what we can and nagging each other to do better. No need for sniping,” Locsin wrote.

The netizen, Teta Licangco, replied saying how it would be nice if even a small step would be done properly. In which Locsin replied that the “public is doing that without being told.”

yes, i know sir. we're all in this together. No doubt about that. But all i was saying is that, it would be nice , if small things like wearing the mask properly would be observed too. It might sound petty but it's necessary imo.

— Teta Limcangco (@teta_limcangco) March 16, 2020

In fact the public is doing that without being told. They just need to find masks. More coming. https://t.co/Ao5UARi2hK

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 16, 2020

This is where actress Angel Locsin stepped into the conversation. She expressed that even though many wanted to donate masks and other personal protective equipment, it’s still difficult it is to acquire such. “Kung sakali mang natuloy yung order, may kukuha na politicians or big companies. I’m sure itutulong rin naman po nila sa iba. Pero it’s hard for us,” she added.

Sir, many wanted to donate mask and other protective gears. Kaya lang sobrang difficult makakuha. Kung sakali mang natuloy yung order, may kukuha na politicians or big companies. I’m sure itutulong rin naman po nila sa iba. Pero it’s hard for us https://t.co/ysUuj5DZpq

— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) March 16, 2020

Customs has been detaining medical equipment needed by employees of the hospitals.

IT IS 1000% true that Customs detained China's humongous rice donation until it rotted. Now there are accusations that Customs is detaining PPEs, masks, and other necessities to combat the virus. PLEASE IDENTIFY THE CUSTOMS IN WHICH PORTS HAVE STOCKPILED THESE ITEMS. NOW.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 16, 2020

The Tourism secretary also said that the masks that were initially confiscated are now at the Department of Social Welfare and Development as they are the addressee.

The entire shipment is now with @dswdserves. It was the addressee. Shoulda been @DOHgovph. Oh well. https://t.co/AHh5i7aduW

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 16, 2020

On the other hand, Angel expressed her opinion when it comes to the failed social distancing in and out of Metro Manila.

“Alam natin na importante ang social distancing at proper hygiene pero hindi po ito sasapat kung may mga kababayan tayo na kelangang maghanapbuhay bawat-araw para makakain at matustusan ang mga basic needs ng pamilya gaya ng pambayad sa renta, kuryente, tubig, at iba pa. Marami rin po sa kanila ay mga contractual workers, mga self-employed, maliliit na manininda na walang tiyak na kita sa araw-araw at baon sa utang,” she wrote.

She also suggested that the government should assure financial support for the people so that they won’t feel the need to leave their homes during such a dangerous time.

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My thoughts: Sa gitna po ng paglaganap ng CoVid19, walang sinoman na nasa matinong pag-iisip ang magnanais na lumabas sa matataong lugar para mahawa at makahawa ng sakit. Alam natin na importante ang social distancing at proper hygiene pero hindi po ito sasapat kung may mga kababayan tayo na kelangang maghanapbuhay bawat-araw para makakain at matustusan ang mga basic needs ng pamilya gaya ng pambayad sa renta, kuryente, tubig, at iba pa. Marami rin po sa kanila ay mga contractual workers, mga self-employed, maliliit na manininda na walang tiyak na kita sa araw-araw at baon sa utang. Kung matitiyak lang po sana ng ating pamahalaan na may financial support para sa kanila, hindi nila kelangang sumugal sa labas. Malaking bagay din kung may temporary stop on amortizations and loans o kahit pagtanggal sa interest & penalties. Sana rin ay magbigay ng consideration ang mga kumpanya ng basic utilities like kuryente at tubig bilang kawang-gawa sa mga mahihirap na apektado ng dislocation sa trabaho. Sa mga companies na tumulong sa mga empleyado, sana bigyan po ng tax break para wag malubog ang mga kumpanya. And also, I hope Philhealth will shoulder treatment for those who have CoVid19. Maraming salamat po sa ating mga public officials, pulis, military, etc na gumagawa at nagpapatupad ng batas para po sa kaligtasan natin. Maraming salamat rin po sa mga totoong IDOL, ang ating mga walang kapagurang health workers. Kaya natin ‘to 🙂

A post shared by Angel Locsin (@therealangellocsin) on Mar 16, 2020 at 1:24am PDT

As of this writing, there are 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines and Luzon has been placed under quarantine until April 12, 2020.