"We should set aside political differences."
The threat is real and it’s mocking us right in our faces. From the three patients we had been able to contain for the past month, the number had ballooned to 111 as of this writing.
Fortunately, the government acted decisively, placing the entire Metro Manila, the epicenter of the coronavirus in the country, under quarantine, even before we have to go the way of Italy, South Korea and Spain which were placed under total lockdown.
And it’s rather irritating for the political opposition including the radical left, bannering their usual demagoguery, criticize the government’s action, calling on the people to oppose the quarantine.
But we are in the middle of a war, a war against a dreaded virus which has been sweeping the globe, rich and poor countries alike. And in the middle of a war, you don’t question your commander for to do so could spell defeat. And because of these individuals, people were encouraged to escape the quarantine area before the actual quarantine took effect, in the process defeating the very purpose of the government action which was to contain the contagion in Metro Manila. One even tried to justify the exodus, including that of a southbound passenger who later tested positive for COVID-19, saying it was done before the quarantine took effect, thus no violation was committed.
This is no time for semantics. This is no time for criticism and opposition especially if one cannot present a better alternative. This is the time to unite, set aside political differences and consolidate our forces, mind, actions and ideas to ensure a victorious battle over this dreaded virus.
And it is for this reason we have culled proposals from lawmakers, friends and colleagues which we believe could help the government mitigate the negative impact of the quarantine.
While the Land Transportation Office had already announced it is waiving penalties for late registration of vehicles, the Bureau of Internal Revenue apparently is fixated on its deadline thus prompting Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman to strongly call on the tax-collection agency to rethink its position not to extend April 15 deadline on the filing of income taxes and asked to “do its share” in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on the people.
Hataman had also earlier asked the government to institute measures to provide assistance to the most vulnerable sectors of society in its campaign to contain the spread of the virus.
His suggestions include giving hazard pay to those who show up at work despite the threat, especially those in the medical field, healthcare workers, immigration employees, members of the media who are covering events, and security forces like the police and the military.
The Basilan legislator also called on utility companies to practice leniency on those who may be delayed in paying their bills, adding country can follow the example of Italy and Canada, which suspended the payment of mortgages and bills for its citizens after imposing a lockdown to address the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, for her part, called on the lessors and landlords to give their lessees, tenants, and renters compassionate discounts and/or moratorium on their lease payments as she reminded the government’s business regulation agencies to make sure that Civil Code and contract provisions on force majeure and fortuitous events are honored and enforced.
She also appealed to banks and all institutional lenders to also impose moratorium and/or discounts on loans amid the pandemic.
Former Senators JV Ejercito and Bongbong Marcos supported Herrera-Dy’s position saying banks and landlords specially malls would extend moratoriums on amortization, “so that businesses and employees would survive this crisis.”
“Also other amortizations from housing and others should also be given consideration in light of the situation. This is an emergency and an extraordinary situation. We need to help each other survive,” Ejercito said.
Marcos also appealed to utility companies to suspend payment collections for those affected by the virus.
“All of us should help in finding ways to help each other in this time of crisis,” said Marcos.
Media colleague Peter Tabingo also has his share of proposals which we believe could be very useful in minimizing the quarantine’s negative impact.
First, Peter suggests implementing an immediate price control on crucial items like food and hygiene products like rubbing alcohol, face masks, etc.
Second, exempt farm produce from taxes to counter hoarders. In that way, Peter says we could be assured of access to fresh and healthier food rather than relying on canned goods.
Also, Peter is proposing to shutdown all online sellers who have artificially jacked-up prices of essential commodities including alcohol, face masks, surgical gloves, etc.
At the same time, Peter insists that community health workers, being frontliners, should be prioritized in the supplies of disinfectants and masks.
And as everyone is putting emphasis on hygiene to combat the virus, Peter said the government has to ensure ample water supply in Metro Manila and all major cities throughout the coming weeks.
“Logic says people can’t wash hands and do basic cleaning if the taps go dry,” says Peter.
Lastly, Peter also wants bus companies to be required to disinfect their buses after each stop at end terminals to prevent potential infection.
Even the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation, whose income is derived from gaming licenses and regulation, is doing its share to prevent possible spread of the virus by suspending all gaming operations.
According to a statement it released, suspension of gaming will apply to all land-based casinos, both Pagcor-owned and operated as well as licensed and integrated resort-casinos, electronic games, sports betting, poker and slot machines.
Pagcor’s announcement is on top of the P2 billion it had earlier pledged to the Department of Health for use in fighting coronavirus.
Those are the things which should be the subject of discussion even in the social media and not mere criticisms on the government’s action or inaction or even delayed action. This is now the situation at hand. We have to talk on what is to be done and not what should have been done, which we aren’t sure, could have been effective if employed.
If they cannot contribute something helpful and useful, they better just shut up. Their rhetoric cannot help defeat the virus.