Use NTF-ELCAC funds to give relief during extended ECQ

Published by Bayan Metro Manila

The government should tap the funds intended for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and instead use it give urgent relief to families affected by the extended enhanced community quarantine and other lockdown restrictions across the country.

The emergency situation should compel the Duterte government to act quickly in order to extend aid to families experiencing hunger and deprivation.

Senator Franklin Drilon said the president should call a special session of Congress so that a law can be passed to fund a new round of pandemic relief. The minority leader cited the funds for NTF-ELCAC as among the budget items that can be diverted to finance the new relief package.

This is feasible and more logical instead of resorting to another borrowing binge. Spending money to provide emergency assistance to families makes more sense instead of wasting resources on red-tagging activities and tarpaulin materials.

It is the Duterte government’s fault that many are suffering from the public health crisis and the disruption caused by the world’s longest lockdown. The president’s militarized approach has only exacerbated the miseries of many who are coping with the problems caused by the pandemic.

It is government’s duty to help families in need. Instead of the flimsy excuse that resources are already depleted, it should rethink its priorities and simply realign some budget items so that we can ease the hardships experienced by many Filipinos.

We reiterate our reminder that extending the militarized lockdown will not solve our problem as long as the government does not revise its militaristic model in dealing with the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Duterte government’s bungled response has resulted in too many unnecessary hardships and even deaths. This criminal negligence has to end now.

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