Angel Locsin (Image: Instagram/@therealangellocsin)
Actress Angel Locsin spoke up on what social distancing means for workers and the poor as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the country.
The implementation of the Metro Manila community quarantine saw long lines of workers huddled at checkpoints, defeating the advisory to observe social distancing in order to avoid spreading the contagious disease.
The “General’s Daughter” star shared pictures of crowds of commuters on Instagram yesterday, March 16, and stated, “Sa gitna po ng paglaganap ng CoVid19, walang sinoman na nasa matinong pag-iisip ang magnanais na lumabas sa matataong lugar para mahawa at makahawa ng sakit.”
(In the midst of the spread of COVID-19, no one in their right mind would want to go out to crowded places to be infected and infect others.)
She noted that amid calls for social distancing and proper hygiene, there are Filipinos who rely on their jobs to sustain their daily needs such as rent, electricity and water.
“Marami rin po sa kanila ay mga contractual workers, mga self-employed, maliliit na manininda na walang tiyak na kita sa araw-araw at baon sa utang,” she said.
(Many of them are contractual workers, self-employed, small-time vendors without fixed daily incomes and are steeped in debt.)
Locsin advised, “Kung matitiyak lang po sana ng ating pamahalaan na may financial support para sa kanila, hindi nila kelangang sumugal sa labas.”
(If the government can ensure financial support for them, they would not need to take a risk outside.)
She suggested putting a “temporary stop on amortizations and loans” and proposed that companies receive tax breaks so they can stay afloat while supporting their employees.
Locsin also hoped that companies that run basic utilities such as electricity and water would give consideration to those impacted by the loss of income. (Companies such as Meralco and Globe announced yesterday a 30-day extension to pay bills.)
In terms of health care, she said, “I hope Philhealth will shoulder treatment for those who have CoVid19.”
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on March 12 that PhilHealth will cover payments for coronavirus test kits. Patients can avail of a pneumonia package depending on how serious one’s case is. /ra
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