UNLESS the Commission on Elections issues an exemption order, households stuck in granular lockdowns might not be able to get essential goods from local government units. The chances of this scenario happening are very high, since there is no end in sight yet for the Covid-19 pandemic, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday.
Marcos thus urged Comelec to allow families under granular lockdowns to continue receiving relief packs from their LGUs.
The former senator asked the poll body to issue an exemption order to its Resolution No. 10695 which set the calendar of activities for the May 9, 2022 presidential elections, particularly the prohibition on giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, from the start of the campaign period for national positions to election day.
“In my view the pandemic won’t be over yet by that time, so we will still have some places under granular lockdown. I’m thinking more of those people affected by these lockdowns during the campaign period, rather than the candidates like myself. What happens to those families in areas under granular lockdown?” he asked, in a mix of English and Filipino.
Under the said resolution, giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, is prohibited from February 8 to May 9, 2022.
Marcos pointed out that unless the Comelec issues an exemption order, residents of areas under granular lockdown, who are barred from leaving their homes, may not be able to get aid, in the form of relief goods, from their LGUs.
“Parang may tali ang kamay ng mga taga-LGUs. Pero ang mas kawawa ay ang mga pamilyang hindi mahahatiran ng ayuda na hindi pa pwedeng lumabas sa kanilang mga tahanan [It’s like the LGUs’ hands are tied. But the ones most disadvantaged are the families who cannot leave their homes, but to whom the LGUs cannot deliver ayuda],” he said.
Image courtesy of Nonie Reyes