Gov't plans P25B for COVID-19 response, cash-for-work program

The Philippine government is planning to allocate P25 billion to bolster its COVID-19 response and economic recovery efforts, with a significant portion earmarked for expanded testing and a cash-for-work program.

Of the total proposed fund, P10 billion will be dedicated to a subsidy program for expanded COVID-19 testing, which is considered crucial for restoring public confidence and economic activity.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque highlighted that while COVID-19 testing is expensive, it is more cost-effective than the potential P800,000 cost of critical treatment.

An additional P15 billion is proposed for a cash-for-work program, which could be utilized to hire approximately 50,000 contact tracers.

These allocations are part of the proposed Bayanihan II law, aiming to sustain the government's 'test, trace, and treat' strategy.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved in principle the expansion of testing to cover more population segments, including those in hotspot areas, essential workers returning to work, and travelers.

The government aims to accelerate the country's testing capacity by the end of July to achieve a positivity rate of 3%.