DAVAO CITY — Senator Christopher Lawrence Go on Monday appealed to the private sector to join hands with the government in the fight against coronavirus.
“I appeal to the private sector — the industry players, business leaders, foundations and the like — to join hands and combine our efforts as we fight COVID-19 as one nation, as one people,” Go said in a statement.
“Threats of COVID-19 to the safety and lives of our people continue to grow. While the government is doing its best, we can help contain the spread of the infection if we adopt a whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Go said the private sector can take specific steps to alleviate the suffering of citizens who will be badly affected by the virus and the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the President in Luzon:
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Release 13th month pay
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Moratorium on rental fees for renters and tenants
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One month reprieve on bills payments from basic utility providers
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Big businesses should help small and medium scale enterprises
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Impose work from home and flexible work schedule
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Limit essential travels only and encourage everyone to stay home
He said he was informed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez that he (Dominguez) will meet with business leaders to talk about the steps they can take to help small businesses and to ease the burden of the crisis on the poor.
At the same time, Go expressed gratitude to those who have pledged to help during the crisis, like alcoholic drinks manufacturers who have donated large amounts of denatured alcohol for use in hospitals, oil companies that will set aside P1 to P2 per liter, and casinos that will put up foundations to raise funds to help affected people.
“Taus puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Hinihikayat ko din ang ibang merong malasakit sa kapwa na mag-ambag ng tulong para sa ating mga mamamayan,” he said.
“Marami na tayong napagdaanan na mga delubyo at trahedya subalit dahil sa ating pagkakaisa, pagdadamayan at pagmamalasakit sa isa’t isa, nalampasan natin ang mga ito. Ngayon, muli na namang sinusubok ng sakit na ito ang katatagan ng ating pagiging Pilipino. Magkaisa at magbayanihan po tayo,” he added.
March 17, 2020 – Tuesday 6:03 PM by
RUTH PALO
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