Cayetano Says Middle Class Not Left Behind In Govt’s COVID-19 Assistance
MIDDLE CLASS – Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said the middle class was not left behind in the government’s COVID-19 assistance.
The Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said the government has allotted P275 billion worth of public funds for the 2019 novel coronavirus crisis. The Congress approved it last month under the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.’
The low-income families affected by the “enhanced community quarantine” due to COVID-19 will benefit the money. However, some middle-class families said the cash aid should not be limited to the poor considering they also contributed to the Philippines’ tax revenue.
On Monday, April 13, House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the middle class was not left behind in the emergency aid provided by the government. Based on a report from GMA News, he said President Duterte immediately ordered to extend payment deadlines amid the pandemic.
“Agad sinabi ng Pangulo, yung extension ng [payment ng] bills, filing ng taxes, no penalties sa mga ibang utang, no eviction, etcetera…. so bear with us, wala lang bibitaw. The important thing is, ang enhanced community quarantine is working. It’s working. So walang bibitaw,” said Cayetano.
According to the report, Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla suggested to the 75-year-old president if they could include the middle class in the cash aid. Duterte then ordered the economic team to check if they can include them.
Cayetano said they will discuss the proposals of the lawmakers on Tuesday, April 14. He believed that the chief executive is exerting all efforts to help all the Filipinos amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Sa Kongreso, every week tinitignan namin ang report. Naniniwala kaming binubuhos ng Pangulo ang lahat ng puwedeng gawin ng gobyerno… it’s not to blame, to point fingers. ‘Mabagal dahil sa ‘yo, mabagal dahil dito, mabagal dahil doon…’ It’s time to talk, usap lang nang usap para bumilis ito,” he said.
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