Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said he is willing to “sit down and work with the government” to determine how direct relief will be distributed to the people, saying the issue for millions of Filipinos is survival.

“Marami na pong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, marami pong hindi na napapagamot ang may sakit,” he emphasized.

Additionally, the lawmaker said that the distribution of direct monetary assistance, which is what his proposed Sampung Libong Pag-asa Law would achieve, is not a handout because it tackles the difficulties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hindi po dole-out ang ayuda sa panahon ng pandemic. Dahil y’ung pandemic ay nasamahan pa ng sobrang taas ng presyo so ang issue ay survival,” he highlighted.

Cayetano also addressed Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno’s statement during a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee that financial aid is “a waste of funds” because the country has already “fully recovered” from the pandemic.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) was mentioned by him as being “very helpful” during the pandemic.

“Y’ung ayuda, whether it’s 10k na tinutulak ko, y’ung 10k na galing sa Bayanihan 1, or whether it’s Tupad, it was very helpful (during the pandemic).”

“How come the US and other countries have been doing this as a form of social protection and para makabangon ang ating mga kababayan,” Cayetano asked, if direct aid is so bad.

In order to address the various forms that direct assistance may take, the senator said he is prepared to sit down and collaborate with the administration.

“I think it will be a lively discussion sa budget hearing. I am willing to sit down and work with the government kung ang ibibigay ay trabaho, livelihood, o negosyo,” he added.

According to Cayetano, the people only want a chance to get through the difficulties the country is now going through and are not asking for anything for free.

“Ang tao naman ay hindi humihingi ng libre. I hope that the admin will be open na marinig ng diretso sa ating mga kababayan kung gaano kabigat ang buhay ngayon at bakit kailangan y’ung ayuda,” he said.

Photo Credit: Senate Website