Highlights of PRRD's address during the IATF-EID meeting (20 May 2020)

Here are the highlights of PRRD's address during the IATF-EID meeting yesterday, 20 May 2020:

THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECTIVES

1️⃣ According to PRRD, mandatory testing for returning workers is not required. Only screening, wearing of masks, and coughing etiquette need to be observed. Employers are requested to provide a conducive working environment for workers with proper ventilation and disinfection.

2️⃣ On the 2nd tranche of SAP, priority will be given to the five million “left-out” families. The government is still looking for resources to expand SAP coverage.

3️⃣ The President also reported that Moderna has invented a vaccine that will be available by January 2021 at the earliest. The government will borrow money as soon as it becomes available in the market.

4️⃣ Metro Manila Police Chief Debold Sinas will stay until further notice.

UPDATES FROM THE IATF-EID MEMBERS

1️⃣ Status of SAP distribution: 97\\% completed, with the following Regions 1, 5, 12, and Caraga as early completers.

▪️ Show-cause orders have been issued to 43 mayors who failed to meet the 80\\% distribution rate as of 10 May 2020 (SILG Año)

▪️ Cases have been filed to erring barangay officials. Two barangay officials have been incarcerated. (SILG Año)

▪️ LGUs have been instructed to post the name of SAP recipients for transparency

▪️ LGUs are encouraged to submit the list of those who were “left-out” and are part of the five million new beneficiaries. (SILG Año)

▪️ Some cities and provinces said that they would not be submitting additional SAP beneficiaries. (SSWD Bautista)

▪️ DSWD, AFP, PNP will lead the distribution of the 2nd tranche. (SSWD Bautista) It will be faster than the 1st tranche because DSWD will use cashless payments or mobilize the PNP/AFP for geographically isolated areas.

2️⃣ Returning OFWs / Balik Probinsya Program

▪️ According to Sec. Galvez, assisting returning OFWs is the biggest challenge today. There are 27,000 OFWs in Metro Manila, and another 42,000 are expected to arrive in June 2020. Relevant national government agencies are currently being mobilized to support them.

▪️ DSWD will provide relocation assistance such as transportation and livelihood programs for those who will participate in the Balik Probinsiya Program.

3️⃣ The next step for the COVID-19 National Action Plan is localization. LGUs will be given more leeway to lockdown barangays, communities, or compounds with COVID-19 cases, as opposed to implementing regional lockdowns.

▪️ Sec. Galvez shared that the 60-day lockdown afforded the government, specifically the DOH, to improve the capacity to respond to COVID-19 by increasing the number of hospital beds, ventilators, and level 3 hospitals.

▪️ PPE procurement is nearing one million units which are being distributed in major areas across the country.

4️⃣ Assistance of MSMEs microfinancing is available at 0.5\\% interest rate and with a grace period of six months.

5️⃣ The DSWD partnered with the United Registered Social Workers for online counselling to deal with the psychological issues brought about by COVID-19.

6️⃣ IATF-EID members will inspect malls and order the closure of those that violate quarantine protocols.