Can extended ECQ be sustained?

By Modesto P. Sa-onoy

Yesterday a radio caller explained the mathematics of the Enhance Community Quarantine and concluded that the government does not have the resources to maintain the continued isolation of over 100 million people beyond April 30.

Even now the ECQ is creating demand more than just providing for the daily needs of the citizens. People are asking for medicines, especially the elderly who had failed to buy their maintenance medications. The distribution of food and money aid is also fueling public anger. I am certain the government also listens and have more information than journalists have.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson the other day was reported saying “the local government units are finding it difficult to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Negros Occidental. That is not only the sentiments here in Negros Occidental but in all provinces. It will be difficult for LGUs to sustain but if we have to remain under ECQ then we will have to stay that way.”

The Governor’s executive order putting the province under ECQ to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease is set to end on April 30, but he has not ruled out an extension. He admitted also that the capacity of the LGUs to support their constituents is affected.

Under an ECQ, most of the people are supposed to stay home and there is loss of income, he said, adding, “If we continue with an ECQ, it will also mean that the LGUs will have to continue feeding their people and obviously our resources are finite.”

The Philippines has reportedly a P1.49-trillion war chest against the coronavirus disease and this fund is estimated to be fully available by the end of the month, according to the Department of Finance the other day.

The national government earlier said it expects to spend around P1.17 trillion for Covid-19 response measures, of which around P836.4 billion would be raised together with monetary authorities to support the economy. The Philippines plan to borrow US$500 million from the World Bank which means we pay that back fortunately at low or no interest.

While that appears comforting, the DOF also said that government assistance program will “last until May.”  Till then can local governments keep the momentum of feeding the needy for some weeks more?

But that is not just the problem. The usual vultures in government are happy because they have more to prey. Already reports of barangay officials selecting only their supporters for fund and food assistance are growing.

Our informer whose family lives in a barangay in one city north of Bacolod said that barangay officials asked the intended recipients that for the sake of efficiency and speed, the recipients should sign the form stating they had already received the money or the packages. Over a week had passed and the expected aid had not arrived despite reports that money and rations – kilos of rice, sardines, noodles, etc. had been distributed.

We have heard of this modus operandi many times that the local governments must publish the names of all the recipients. This system is being used during the elections and since there is no accounting the corrupt barangay or whoever officials get away with the money which could have helped the needy.

As can be expected, the party in power that selects the barangay leaders, not just the corrupt barangay officials could be in cahoots with people in the social welfare office. They may be collectively guilty. The publication of the list of beneficiaries within the barangay can clear the innocents and the government can pinpoint who made money out of people’s misery.

The Office of the Ombudsman has warned local officials that it would go against these culprits, but experience shows the Ombudsman does this every time but how many had been made to account as to deter the vultures preying on the needy at this moment of crisis?

We do not question the sincerity of the Ombudsman but the process and only stating what had been happening on the ground. The present situation is such that the same process adopted by the Ombudsman for years will not work. If the Ombudsman wants to expose the culprits, it can order the publication of recipients within the barangay and it will get witnesses or leave the case directly to the people’s judgement. God’s comes later.