Non-delivery of emergency cash transfers shows gov’t indifference, causing unrest
Non-delivery of emergency cash transfers shows gov’t indifference, causing unrest
By IBON Media
Research group IBON said that non-delivery of emergency cash transfers almost three weeks into the Luzon lockdown is unforgivable. The government is insensitive to the plight of the poorest Filipinos and has even used its inaction to justify emergency powers. The group said that the government could have dispensed cash transfers immediately upon its military lockdown. The failure to do this is causing social unrest including food riots.
The Duterte administration declared a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) almost three weeks ago. This suspended mass transport and stopped work except for essential services. IBON estimates that the military lockdown has dislocated up to 14.5 million workers and informal earners, and affected some 7.5 million low-income families dependent on precarious livelihoods just in Luzon. There are also 3.8 million indigent senior citizens who are among the COVID-19 risk groups.
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