SWN Labor Desk

COVID-19 surge disrupting incomes, livelihood; 'Ayuda', paid pandemic leave badly needed - Gabriela Partylist

Even without the imposition of a new lockdown, households affected by the COVID-19 surge are in need of cash assistance as their sources of income are slashed or cut off, according to Gabriela Partylist.

"Imagine COVID-19 cases reaching an all-time high yet the Duterte government just leaves families to fend for themselves even if their incomes are going rock bottom. Pilipino ang gagastos sa gamot, pagkain, at testing kahit trilyun-trilyon ang inutang ng gobyerno," said Rep. Brosas.

"Matindi ang tama ng COVID-19 surge na ito lalo sa mga no-work, no-pay tapos kailangan pa nila magquarantine. Kaya muli naming iginigiit na magbigay ng sapat na ayuda at paid pandemic leave ang pamahalaan," she added.

Around P39 billion under the Protective Services program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can be tapped to provide cash assistance to the quarantine-affected households, and those affected by recent typhoons, according to the Gabriela Partylist lawmaker.

For the paid pandemic leave, the Social Security System (SSS) can utilize a portion of its collections to provide paid pandemic leaves to workers undergoing the mandatory quarantine and to no-work, no-pay workers.

Gabriela Partylist also urged Malacanang anew to certify as urgent HB 7909 or the paid pandemic leave, to ensure standby funds for workers who will be affected by the pandemic.

"Mahaba-haba pa ang pandemyang ito lalo't palpak at militaristiko pa rin ang tugon ng rehimeng Duterte. We really need to put social safety nets in place to help poor Filipinos tide over the pandemic and crisis," Rep. Brosas said.