COVID-19

Tourism package under COVID-19 response a “Php14-billion lie” — IBON
March 18, 2020
The Php14 billion allocation identified by government’s economic managers is actually part of TIZA funds for big-ticket infrastructure projects

Recycled Php27.1 B COVID-19 response package betrays govt complacency
March 18, 2020
NEWS
The Duterte administration’s Php27.1 billion package of so-called priority actions exposes its complacency in dealing with the pandemic and the disruption to people’s livelihoods. This is just another result of the government’s overly militarist mindset where forceful action is crudely seen as decisive action. The spread of COVID-19 needs much more government resources and a much more holistic approach.

3 of 5 workers in Luzon will likely lose wages, earnings due to Luzon lockdown
March 18, 2020
NEWS
Potentially 14.4 million non-regular workers and informal earners, or three-out-of five employed persons in Luzon, are most at risk of lost wages and earnings due to the Luzon-wide lockdown. Government should take necessary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, but these should be particularly sensitive to the plight of low income workers and their families.

Luzon lockdown threatens livelihoods of 11M workers, informal sector earners
March 17, 2020
NEWS
The Duterte administration’s declaration of an enhanced community quarantine over the whole of Luzon threatens to displace nearly 11 million workers and informal sector earners. While government is correct to take all necessary measures to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, it is failing to do this in a way that protects the poorest and most vulnerable Filipinos.

“Just follow” won’t beat COVID-19
March 16, 2020
COMMENTARY
BY SONNY AFRICA
The coronavirus threat is real and it’s critical for the government to respond quickly and decisively. But what if government’s response is muddled and, worse, ill-conceived?