Duterte to reimburse companies that feed the needy during quarantine

President Duterte has pledged to reimburse private companies that provide food to the needy during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo relayed the President's directive to ask establishments to feed hungry citizens, promising repayment on his word of honor.

Duterte's initiative aims to ensure that no citizen goes hungry amidst the strict stay-at-home policy implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon requires millions of Filipinos to stay indoors, leading to concerns about the welfare of workers affected by the 'no work, no pay' policy.

The government has already committed to providing assistance, including food aid and emergency livelihood programs, to those impacted by the quarantine.

President Duterte acknowledged that the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is effectively a lockdown due to the increasing number of coronavirus infections across the country.