Charles Teves
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted last Monday that the middle class has been ignored by the government in its efforts to help people affected by the enhanced community quarantine.
“Agad sinabi ng Pangulo, yung extension ng [payment ng] bills, filing ng taxes, no penalties sa mga ibang utang, no eviction, etcetera.
“So bear with us, wala lang bibitaw. The important thing is, ang enhanced community quarantine is working. It’s working. So walang bibitaw.”
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte asked the economic team to find a way to include the middle class in the government’s cash subsidy program.
40% of the country’s population belong to the middle class, while 58% belong to the lower-income class, according to a 2018 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
On Monday, Cayetano along with Senator Bong Go, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. and various government officials examined the quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Cayetano said that the ₱275 billion budget for COVID-19 responses is mainly for the 18 million poorest families, a separate amount for micro, small, and medium enterprises will be considered.
“Nagkaroon kami ng Zoom meeting with Senator Bong Go, ES (Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea), [Budget] Secretary [Wendel] Avisado and [Finance] Secretary Sonny [Dominguez], they’re preparing quite a big amount then dalawa ang target, micro-small-medium enterprise at saka ‘yung mga nasa SSS na diretso sa kanila,”
Cayetano said the economic stimulus cluster of the House’s Defeat COVID-19 ad hoc committee will meet via teleconferencing on Tuesday to discuss various proposals from lawmakers to respond to the emergency situation.
Cayetano labeled COVID-19 as ‘deceptive’, which will make it more difficult for efforts to reach those who are needy, which is mostly true and applicable to many nations facing similar issues.
Cayetano believes that the president is doing everything he can, based on his reports to congress.
“Sa Kongreso, every week tinitignan namin ang report. Naniniwala kaming binubuhos ng Pangulo ang lahat ng puwedeng gawin ng gobyerno.
“It’s not to blame, to point fingers. Mabagal dahil sa ‘yo, mabagal dahil dito, mabagal dahil doon…’ It’s time to talk, usap lang nang usap para bumilis ito,” he added.
People are not totally sold on what Cayetano has said since he has recently lied about the Social Amelioration Card (SAC) forms saying that all families affected by the community quarantine will be getting one from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in order to receive cash aid.
Barangay captains from all over the country found out that only selected families are qualified to receive the forms.
Esbby Maningas, the captain of barangay Mayondon, Los Baños, Laguna, made a video saying that Cayetano should go to his barangay and tell the truth to the residents.
“Lahat po ng sinasabi nila sa [Pamahalaang] Nasyonal ay hindi nangyayari sa ngayon. Walang katotohanan na lahat ay mabibigyan. Anim na libo lang ang binigay niya para sa bayan ng Los Baños,” said Maningas.
Barangay captains nationwide will then be blamed by the residents because of what Cayetano promised. Only the poorest of the poor are to be given the forms, and even the people who belong in this category have a good chance of being disqualified.
“Kailangan namin piliin yung pinakamahirap sa mahirap. Ito ay magbigay ng bagong kalituhan ng dahilan para magalit na naman saamin ang mga mamamayan.
“Kahit ang mga mahihirap pa sa mahihirap ay may posibilidad na hindi makatanggap.”
Earlier, Cayetano went live on social media and promised that all the families will be given a form.
“Ito si Alan Peter Cayetano, na hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagmamayabang, eh pumunta ka sa Barangay Mayondon, ikaw magpaliwanag.”
His promises has already caused damage in various barangays.
“Ilan lang ang binigay ng ating national government sa atin, ito ang isa sa pinakamalaking problema nanaman ng bawat barangay sa Los Baños.”
Maningas hopes that this wouldn’t happen again, because the barangay captains will receive all the blame.
“Maging maingat kayo sa pagbibitaw ng salita dahil kaming mga taga barangay ang lagi pinuputakti ng mga mamamayan namin.”
Cayetano basically lied to the people is what Maningas is saying.
“Hindi naman kayo nakakatulong sa ginagawa ninyo. Wag kayo magsalita na lahat ay mabibigyan dahil hindi naman nangyayari talaga at hindi niyo tinutupad ang mga sinasabi niyo sa ating mga mamamayan.”
Those who are not are senior citizens who are receiving a social pension, 4ps members, households that have the capability of surviving and have members who are employed, Qualified Region 4 household will most likely be receiving P6,500 every month for two months.
“Imbes na makatulong ka, ikaw pa ang nagpapabigat ng sitwasyon namin dito sa barangay.
“Marami na ang nagugutom Mr. Speaker, kaya sana naging maingat kayo sa sinsasabi niyo.”
Gov. Jonvic Remulla of Cavite was the one who brought the attention to President Duterte regarding the issue of no assistance being given to the middle class.
The president had no problem being called out and supported Remulla’s request to include the middle class in the Social Amelioration Program where the poorest of poor will be given assistance in the form of cash aid.
DDS Robin Padilla took Remulla’s appeal the wrong way.
Padilla said that the president knows what he is doing, but just has too much to do to worry about the middle class.
“Sir Governor alam ni mayor PRRD ang ginagawa niya hindi puedeng sabay sabay sa isang bagsakan dahil limitado rin ang resources ng bansa,”
Padilla said that the poor need to be helped first and that the middle class is being given a tax break to make things easier for them during this trying time.
Padilla thinks that many would die if the president is going to take time looking into the situation of the middle class.
“This is a plague, Governor and if we neglect discipline, welfare and health of these unfortunate people, and if we don’t prioritize them, expect death on a massive scale.”
But the actor believes that Remulla will continue his support for the current administration once the pandemic has subsided.
“Kaya po sir governor kung sakaling ipahintulot pa ng Panginoon na makabalik pa tayo sa dating mundo aasahan ko ang muli mong pagtindig at paglutang kapag kakasahan na muli ni mayor PRRD ang mga oligarchs dahil ang makapagbibigay lamang ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng mga middle class ay ang tamang sueldo tamang benepisyo at tamang karapatan para sa mga manggggawa/middle class,”
Remulla was surprised at how Padilla looked at his appeal to the president.
“Nakakalungkot na minasama mo ang aking panawagan sa ating pangulo. Pag nasa realidad na buhay ka ay durugo ang puso mo para sa mga nahihirapan.”
Padilla is known more for his emotional rather than rational arguments and Remulla just wants him to stop talking about a whole lot of nonsense.
“But please don’t waste the people’s time by engaging in talk that does not help. People are suffering. They are hungry. They are insecure about what the future brings. The least we can do is to give them hope of surviving another day and give them the sincerity of service that they expect.
“I am one with the President as you are. I serve at his pleasure and I am committed to the people of Cavite.”, Remulla said.
Padilla was attacked for his response to the governor.
Robin Padilla and his privileged ignorance. He needs to keep his mouth shut because he knows nothing about the struggles of the middle class. The bills are just deferred not waived.some employees of smes will not be receiving salaries anymore bec the company cannot afford anymore
— i am PETTY (@pushednshoved) April 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/_tudoy/status/1247564203801448450?s=20
Nahirapan akong huminga habang bnabasa ko to. Dka ba marunong gumamit ng ". ", Robin? O kaya ","?
My point s unahin mo muna iimprove ang sarili mo, bago ka mang puna ng iba. Kung mahal mo si Pres., dpat inintindi mo last audience nya, sya mismo nag sbi na my point si Gov. Jonvic.— Sara (@SarahRRN) April 7, 2020
i feel you gov.not all who have big houses are rich enough to survive this pandemic.we are in need as well.5k is not big enough for middle earners who also have mouths to feed.a month or so lockdown pd is a burden to many who are daily earners
— heart's butterfly (@bi1_jae) April 7, 2020
