104 discriminatory acts against health workers recorded

by Romina Cabrera (The Philippine Star), 2 May 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Over a hundred cases of attacks and discrimination against healthcare workers have been recorded by the police since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.

Data from the Joint Task Force COVID Shield showed that there were 104 incidents involving attacks and discrimination against health workers since March 17.

Police said 39 suspects were arrested for these attacks, with 66 of the cases solved and cleared while another 38 incidents are still under investigation.

Among the attacks reported was the splashing of cleaning materials on health workers in Cebu and Cotabato City.

Health workers were also evicted from their rented places, according to JTF commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar.

Eleazar said all police commanders have been ordered to ensure the protection of health workers in their jurisdiction amid the rising number of cases.

“The least we could do as law enforcers is to protect them from shameless and inconsiderate people who treat them unfairly despite their sacrifices,” Eleazar said in a statement.

Central Visayas recorded the highest number of cases with 17, followed by Western Visayas with 14. There were 10 incidents in Metro Manila.

Despite the rising number of attacks against health workers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said overall crime incidents in the country have fallen by 61 percent since the start of the enhanced community quarantine.

The police had recorded154,781 quarantine violators since March 17.

Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo filed a bill seeking to exempt qualified health workers from payment of taxes for two months.

“These heroes are willingly putting themselves in harm’s way to safeguard public health. Thus, it is but right and just to reward them if only to show the nation’s gratitude and appreciation for their service,” she stressed.

Under the proposed measure entitled “Health Workers’ Tax Holiday Act of 2020,” computation for income taxes of frontliners would not include the period from March 15 to May 15.

In effect, their earnings for two months would be tax exempt. If income tax has been withheld for the covered period, it would be applied as part of payment for the remainder of 2020 when taxes are paid in April next year.

The proposed law gives the Department of Finance (DOF) the authority to extend the two-month period covered by tax relief by not more than three months depending on the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also mandates the DOF to issue implementing rules and regulations. – With Edu Punay