There should be no obstacle to the release of funds to the country’s most vulnerable sectors now that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act has been enacted and President Duterte himself has issued the order to provide emergency assistance for those hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, Senator Sonny Angara said today.
After Sen. Sonny Angara announced that he is positive of COVID-19 Thursday, his office continues to help the public through distribution of food packs and protective gears.
Angara took it to social media to announce he is positive of the virus after manifesting symptoms of mild fever, cough, headaches and general weakness.
“I have not been in contact with the public since taking the test last March 16,” Angara said.
I regret to announce that today, March 26, I received my test result and it is positive for covid 19. I have been feeling some symptoms like mild fever, cough, headaches and general weakness .
I have not been in contact with the public since taking the test last March 16.
I ask for your prayers that together we are able to pull through this tremendous challenge.
Let us continue to support all efforts to fight the further spread of the virus. Let us support our frontliners on the streets, in the emergency rooms as they are key to the effort.
Senator Sonny Angara welcomed the grant of hazard pay and a special risk allowance to public health workers who continuously serve the nation at this critical time, but emphasized that volunteers should also be included.
Administrative Order No. 26, which was issued last Monday, authorizes the grant of hazard pay to government personnel and enumerates the coverage and conditions.
Senator Sonny Angara called on the various agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to find ways to get the cash grants and other aid to the families affected by the enhanced community quarantine immediately.
At this time when almost all businesses have closed and movement of people is restricted due to the enhanced community quarantine to combat the spread of COVID-19, Angara noted that “people are becoming desperate and in need of assurance from its government that they will be taken care of.”
“Ngayon na nakakulong sa bahay ang marami sa ating kababayan dahil sa enhanced community quarantine dapat siguraduhin ng ating pamahalaan na meron silang makakain araw-araw.”
Senator Sonny Angara called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to work closely with the local government units (LGUs) to provide assistance to the families severely affected by the enhanced community quarantine that is in place to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country.
Senator Sonny Angara called on the concerned government agencies to immediately clarify the reports about mall closures during the one month community quarantine period for Metro Manila considering the impact this will have on hundreds of thousands of employees.
“While we understand the need to act swiftly and decisively when it comes to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the country, we should also consider the impacts of these actions on the public, particularly those who rely on daily wages to make ends meet,” Angara said.
Even as the Department of Education (DepEd) is deliberating on the use of the sablay as the standard garb for graduation rites, Senator Sonny Angara encouraged more schools to adopt this as a means to promote Filipino heritage and for practical purposes.
Angara said local government units around the country could take their cue from the Pasig City government and already use the sablay for the graduation ceremonies of their public elementary and high schools.
Now is the time to be careful and vigilant but don’t panic because there is no reason to do so.
Senator Sonny Angara said the “first local transmission” of the COVID-19 in the country did not come as too much of a surprise considering the number of people traveling in and out of the country regularly.
“What is important is that we are able to identify these cases, treat the infected and take all the necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading,” Angara said.
With the announcement made by Philippine Airlines (PAL) that it has laid off 300 of its personnel, the government cannot afford to be complacent in addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 on the economy, Senator Sonny Angara said today.
“We have been spared from deaths caused by COVID-19 but sadly the pandemic has taken away the jobs of 300 hardworking men and women of our country's flag carrier,” Angara said.
