Vice Ganda (Image: Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin)
Vice Ganda’s take on violators of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has stirred mixed sentiments online.
The TV host and comedian’s TikTok video has circulated on social media following his statements:
“O bakit ba humahaba ang quarantine? E kasi ang mga Pinoy makukulit din. ‘Pag sinabing ‘wag lumabas maglalabasan, at ‘pag nagkasakit naman magsisisihan.
“Madaling sabihin pengeng ayuda. Pero sumusunod nga po ba?”
(Why is the quarantine extending? Because Filipinos are also stubborn. When you say don’t go out, they go out, and when they get sick they blame others. It’s easy to ask for help, but are you following?)
Some have criticized the statements for putting the blame on Filipino masses in the extension of the ECQ, which is expected to end on April 30. However, there are already proposals to further extend it as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continue to rise.
“Bakit humahaba ang quarantine? Eh kasi nga dinelay pa ang mass testing… ngayon pa lang nagpa-plano ang poon niyo,” said one @elyasjuan yesterday, April 21. “Ayaw kasing makinig nung una pa lang, masyado ka pang pabibo, may makakain ka kasi.”
(Why is the quarantine extending? Because mass testing was delayed… your lord is only planning now. He didn’t want to listen at first, you are too much of a show-off, it’s because you have food to eat.)
https://twitter.com/elyasjuan/status/1252310479755755521
Mass testing for coronavirus only began on April 14, a month after the Metro Manila ECQ was declared.
Twitter user @jvcabrera argued that Filipinos would stay home if their needs are addressed. “Walang magrereklamo at walang lalabas kung sapat ang tulong ng gobyerno (No one would complain and no one would go out if the government’s help was enough),” he said.
“This video guilt-trips people who NEED to go out kasi sila pa raw may kasalanan kung bakit humahaba ang quarantine (because it says it is their fault that the quarantine is extending). This ECQ may be an inconvenience for you pero (but) for the less privileged, this is survival.”
Walang magrereklamo at walang lalabas kung sapat ang tulong ng gobyerno. This video guilt-trips people who NEED to go out kasi sila pa raw may kasalanan kung bakit humahaba ang quarantine.
This ECQ may be an incovenience for you pero for the less privileged, this is survival
— bini-j•v (@jvcabrera_) April 21, 2020
He also said that had the government made mass testing, acted faster and strengthened the healthcare system, the ECQ would have been lifted more quickly.
Kung mabilis umaksyon ang gobyerno, mas maaga malilift ang lockdown
Kung mas binigyang pansin lamang ang pagpapalakas ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan, mas maaga malilift ang lockdown
— bini-j•v (@jvcabrera_) April 21, 2020
Vice still had his share of defenders online, with some saying that those violating the ECQ were contributing to the problem.
“Vice Ganda spilled her point, [it’s] from the perspective of her social status,” said one @Beigeeeeee. “Isipin mo umabot pa sa point na pinepeke ang quarantine pass (Just think that it reached the point where quarantine passes are being faked).”
Vice Ganda spilled her point, its from the perspective of her social status. And there's no lie with her statement. If you have your own statement on the issue, then have it your way. Isipin mo umabot pa sa point na pinepeke ang quarantine pass. Hays Pilipinas
— Esmeralda (@Beigeeeeee) April 21, 2020
“Vice Ganda was clearly pertaining those who violates (sic) the law and not the ‘poor’ people! Y’all so sensitive,” said @ChefTrishaC.
“Imagine, 130,177 [ECQ] violators? What if they got infected? The blame will go to the pres. and the gov. again? Vice was simply saying that we should be aware and responsible.”
https://twitter.com/ChefTrishaC/status/1252620965705474048
Although households in need can receive aid through the P200-billion Social Amelioration Program, local government units (LGUs) have contested a quota system, which would limit the number of families who can be assisted.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said a “massive arrest” could be made if violations continue. About 133,000 people were caught violating the quarantine measures between March 17 and April 19. /ra
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