By: Neil Arwin Mercado, INQINQUIRER.net, 26 May 2020
MANILA, Philippines — To cushion the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the House of Representatives’ Defeat COVID-19 Committee (DCC) on Tuesday approved a P568 billion economic stimulus package for 2020 which includes a budget for massive testing.
Under the proposed Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA), a P10 billion budget is allocated for massive testing which seeks to “alleviate ‘fear factor’” among the public since “without testing, workers will not go to work, consumers won’t go out and businesses won’t open.”
The bill likewise provides P110 billion budget in wage subsidies under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and P30 billion for “cash for work” under the DOLE-Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
A P15 billion budget is also allocated to assist students affected by the pandemic.
In terms of businesses’ financial capability, P50 billion is provided for loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises and P50 billion for zero-interest loans under the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
Funds are also provided to assist “critically impacted sectors” such as MSMEs (P10 billion), tourism (P58 billion), industry and service sectors (P44 billion), transportation (P70 billion) and agriculture (P56 billion).
A P25 billion budget for the National Development Corp. is also included in the proposal.
For the year 2021, the bill proposes an additional P10 billion for massive testing and P25 billion for loans for MSMEs, among others.
Another P650 billion budget for the enhanced implementation of the national government’s “Build, Build, Build” project is also proposed which shall be included in the budget for three years starting 2021.
As of May 25, there are 14,319 COVID-19 cases in the country, with the death toll at 873 and recoveries at 3,323.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
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Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
