ADVERTISEMENTDeputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the government should match its imposition of the enhanced quarantine with “enhanced” measures to help Filipinos cope with the health crisis. On Monday evening, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said P2 billion had been set aside as an “initial budget” for the Dole to aid affected workers, in the form of wage subsidy. The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, has been allotted P14 billion to support the tourism industry, which is expected to get a heavy beating from the pandemic, the official said. “Clearly this is not enough for anyone to survive for a month, let alone if they have families,” he said. The billions of intelligence and confidential funds can also be used to alleviate the plight of Filipino workers, he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 17, 2020 20:48 UTC