Duterte reports on COVID-19 response measures to Congress

President Duterte reported to Congress on the "concrete, far-reaching" measures implemented by the government to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on citizens.

The report details government assistance to various sectors, including low-income families, workers, and farmers, as well as improvements in health facilities and resources.

Under the Bayanihan law, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed P16.3 billion to 3.7 million beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and distributed 190,217 food packs.

The Department of Labor and Employment has provided P441.9 million in subsidies to 88,388 workers from 6,923 establishments and allocated P174.5 million for displaced workers.

Philhealth has approved benefit packages to cover COVID-19 patient expenses, supported by a P420 million financial transfer from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Department of Trade and Industry has launched 544 campaigns against hoarding and profiteering, resulting in 64 arrests, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government reported 594 arrests for similar violations.

The Department of Agriculture has implemented the Expanded Survival and Recovery Aid and Recovery Project, providing zero-interest loans to 113,570 farmer beneficiaries and a payment moratorium to 244,044 farmers and fishermen.

Land Bank has launched a P10 billion Help via Emergency Assistance for LGUs (HEAL) Lending Program for local governments, and the budget department is set to release a P30.8 billion Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities.

The National Economic and Development Authority is developing a national supply chain plan for essential goods, facilitated by the Department of Agriculture's issuance of 41,689 food passes and the 'KADIWA ni Ani and Kita on Wheels' initiative.