CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Apr. 3 (PIA) - District Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang lauded government pro-active action against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Congress and the Executive branches of government worked hand-in-hand that led to the early approval of Republic Act No. 11469 otherwise known as the "Bayanihan To Heal as One Act" granting temporary emergency powers to the President to help address the crisis.

Under the measure, Mangaoang said P200 Billion is earmarked for the government's social amelioration fund for 18 million household beneficiaries in the amount of at least Php5,000.00 to a maximum of Php8,000.00 per month for two months (April and May) for basic food, medicine and toiletries. Target beneficiaries are families that belong to either the poor or informal sector that are at risk of not earning a living during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.

He said P75B is also allocated for medical logistics including insurance and special risk allowance for public health workers.

During a Congressional Hour over DZRK Radyo Pilipinas, Mangaoang said local government units in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local social welfare and development offices should be responsible in ensuring that beneficiaries of assistance be based on validated data. He appealed to beneficiaries of national food subsidies to not doubly receive a share. Each recipient from the vulnerable sector who are most affected by the enhanced community quarantine imposed over Luzon, should only receive his or her equitable share from the food packs distributed through the DSWD.

He suggested that relief goods from the national government to the LGUs be in cash to avoid tedious process and recipients can budget or decide what food or necessities to buy. In this way he said, it will also cause a domino effect on the local economy. If the money circulates within the community, sari-sari stores, street vendors and other micro-enterprises also benefit, he explained.

He also appealed to businessmen to cooperate on in the enforcement of the price freeze imposed by the Department of Trade and Industry to protect the consumers in the province from overpricing and hoarding of commodities.

Mangao-ang also re-echoed the President's call for well-off families to share their blessings to those who have less in life especially in there trying times. He praised Sadanga of Mt. Province for waiving the food subsidy from DSWD which he said is a good example of helping government widen the reach of its assistance.

Mangaoang donated P100, 000.00 cash each to the Philippine National Police, the Kalinga Medical Society and the 503rdInfantry Brigade who are among the frontliners in the fight against the COVID-19.

He said this is his family's expression of support to the heroism of frontliners for standing their ground to keep safe the populace from the dreaded disease. His family also provided food packs to personnel and volunteers manning checkpoints and will continue to do so until COVID-19 is defeated. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)