Presidential aspirants plan ahead for possible COVID-19 surge
by: Dolores Maria Pabustan and Annrhe Siscar
The Commissions on Elections (COMELEC) organized a series of presidential debates consisting of three separate episodes of the televised event, “PiliPinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point.” The first episode was televised last March 19, Saturday at the Sofitel in Pasay City, wherein nine (9) out of 10 candidates were gathered. The presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was the only absentee; the podium designated for him was left vacant throughout the debate. Unlike previous presidential interviews and debates for the 2022 elections, the PiliPinas Debates allowed each candidate a rebuttal and a rejoinder for 30 seconds.
The first COMELEC presidential debate was live streamed and can be re-watched in several local news networks’ YouTube channels. The following are brief recapitulations of the topics and platforms shared by each aspirant.
Which sector should be prioritized to revive the Philippine economy?
Abella pointed out that agriculture should be prioritized to develop the country into an agricultural powerhouse that can provide more food and job opportunities for other industries. Also, he aims to enhance the education sector for th children’s needs and future.
De Guzman said that the country must cultivate its own resources rather than relying on imported goods. He suggested putting an end to the Rice Tariffication Law and instead, create a new road map in developing the field of agriculture to create more food. The government must shoulder utilities and services such as water, electricity and transportation.
Moreno claimed that food security is of utmost priority. Therefore, he would like to invest in post-harvest facilities, and lower the prices of fertilizer to promote access by the masses.
Gonzales’ main target is securing the needs of Filipino families, catering to their livelihood. Specifically, he suggested that the government should provide capital for aspiring business owners, granting them an immediate source of livelihood.
Lacson mentioned that many Filipinos, mostly those affiliated with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), lost their jobs during the pandemic. He wants to strictly implement the conditions stated in General Appropriations Act 2022 (GAA 2022), wherein 2 billion pesos would be allocated for small banking corporations under the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), and another two billion pesos for agricultural MSMEs.
Mangondato emphasized the need to strengthen the economy. He said that this could be done only if the national programs instituted by the government are fully supported and implemented. “Otherwise, the government would not even be able to sustain the basic necessities of our fellow countrymen,” he said.
Montemayor advised that the monetary policy could be more efficient through distributing ayuda. “Doing so would increase money supply in the circulation, thereby stimulating the entire economy,” he claimed. He also cited the fiscal policy to stimulate the economy via government spending. This includes the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law for all corporations and MSMEs. Loans should also be available to small companies, while cooperatives and discount windows should be accessible to Filipino families.
Pacquiao would prioritize raising the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by increasing both local production and exports, as well as through inviting foreign investors, strengthening MSMEs, and offering loans to small companies with zero interest, creating jobs and opening more opportunities for Filipinos.
Robredo proposed a 100-billion stimulus fund aimed at reviving and strengthening MSMEs via cash grants and low interest loans for capacity building, digitalization, and the search for a good market. She also hinted at the implementation of a bill that would allocate a budget solely for MSMEs.
Was the “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program during the Duterte administration successful? As the newly elected president, would you resume or terminate the program?
Former presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella agreed that BBB was a successful program. He further added that its continuation should not solely focus on just building infrastructures, but should have the bigger goal of building the next generation.
De Guzman opposed the program and its continuation if he were elected president, stating that it increased the country’s debt and neglected the basic needs of the citizens. By discontinuing the program during the pandemic, the funds allotted for the infrastructures would be allotted for other more pressing needs.
Meanwhile, Moreno agreed that BBB was a successful program, but would prefer if it would be more focused on establishing housing, better schools, hospitals, harvest facilities for fishers and farmers, and more sources of energy for energy stability in the Philippines.
Gonzales said that the direction and rationale behind the program must be examined. He stressed that the program should have an equal approach on all levels.
Lacson immediately remarked the program as unsuccessful, stating that out of 118 projects under the said program, only 12 were accomplished. He also agreed for the program’s continuation but proposed a strengthened and better approach via “PPP” (Public, Private, Partnership). He justified that this improved mode entails that the government would have zero expenditures, and would instead involve private companies in nation building.
Mangondato also favors the continuation of the program if he were elected president.
Montemayor stated that it was a good program, and is for the continuation because of the inviolability and sanctity of contracts that should be complied and honored by the national government. He further said that the BBB program is a loan already made by the government; therefore, it should be ensured that the expenses allotted for the program are not corrupted.
Pacquiao said that the BBB promoted economic growth and development within the country. He is also in favor of its continuation, particularly in building houses (through the “Pabahay” program) nationwide and constructing public roads in provinces.
Robredo also emphasized the implementation of the “PPP” program to avoid further increase in the national debt. She also emphasized that good governance is necessary to encourage local and foreign investors alike to invest in the country. She would also prioritize four (4) areas: (1) infrastructures must spur rural development in agriculture (e.g. farm to market roads) and maritime industries (e.g. fishing ports), (2) mass and public transportation in the urban areas, (3) water resource management, and (4) climate resilient infrastructures to withstand natural calamities (e.g. sea walls).
Is the Philippines prepared for another COVID-19 surge?
Abella plans to develop a consultative pandemic response such as expanding the health security council that would involve the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), DTI, and the civil society. He also agrees in conducting free mass testing, contact tracing, and precision lockdowns. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) would also be further stimulated.
De Guzman said that the government should be held responsible for the health of the citizens instead of relying on private sectors. He also noted the need to resolve the food shortage, increase budget for the health sector, provide for the needs of Filipino health workers, and to distribute more health workers in barangays up to the national level. De Guzman also pointed out the need to invest in research for the local discovery of new medicines and vaccines.
Moreno emphasized investing in equipment, COVID-19 field hospitals, and medications. He hopes to provide equal access to a better healthcare system, and allow more business openings for people to be employed and able to provide for their families. He also aims to reorganize the Philhealth system to ensure that medical frontliners receive benefits.
Gonzales pointed out the need to review the vaccination system and its coverage to ensure all citizens are vaccinated. He also intends to negotiate internationally, such that more medicines would be available in the country. However, he appealed that COVID-19 medicines and vaccines should not be used as a means of business by advanced countries.
Lacson previously passed a bill that proposes to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute last May 2020, but was rejected. An initial budget of ₱982 million was supposedly allocated to GAA 2022 to establish the institute to strengthen research and development within the country. In addition, Lacson aims to control and tighten the national borders, and to digitalize the country’s pandemic response.
Mangondato would heed the advice and solutions of health experts and scientists to provide responses and solutions for incoming COVID-19 surges in the country. He also stated that unifying the nation is necessary for national growth to be restored.
Montemayor highlighted the importance of “Testing, Tracing, and Treatment” in combating the pandemic, especially for immunocompromised individuals. He plans to enhance the country’s healthcare management via a more efficient allocation of funds and increased salary of frontliners. He also expressed disapproval towards the IATF due to mismanagement.
Pacquiao would still mandate the wearing of masks, contact tracing, and the reclosure of national borders. The national budget should be allocated to more practical and pressing matters to combat the pandemic. However, he refused to abolish the IATF as it only needs more guidance, monitoring, and overall improvement.
Robredo would further reinforce vaccination programs to increase immunization rates. Just like Montemayor, by administering “Testing, Tracing, and Treatment” via a centralized application, all necessary information would be found in the database for convenience. Hospital capacity and healthcare benefits would also be improved.
How do you plan to secure enough jobs for all Filipinos especially for fresh graduates of the virtual learning mode?
Abella proposed to grant scholarships and provide tutorials for courses that graduate students lacked or missed. He also hopes to address the learning gap, where proper primary and secondary education should be implemented.
De Guzman ensured that the quality of workers are maintained to this day. Still, he proposed to increase and strengthen Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) centers in the country, allowing citizens to have proper training for the job that they choose. He also advocated to put an end to contractualization and to ensure that good-performing workers get to stay in their jobs after the 6-month provisionary period.
Moreno proposed to upgrade the STEM strand into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Mathematics) to include agriculture in the curriculum since it is the primary source of food security.
Gonzales said that new workers must be treated with utmost understanding and patience. He also proposed agriculture as a main industry, which can secure the most jobs as its technology can easily be learned.
Lacson urged for the transition from a state of pandemic to epidemic. He also supported the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in declaring Alert Level 1 within the country to reinstate previous work opportunities and manpower. He favored distance working or work-from-home situations in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies. Lacson then proposed a “One Town, One Project” program in agricultural sectors to help Filipino farmers.
Mangondato proposed that subsidies for production in lieu of consumption must be given to unemployed individuals, which would allow them to sustainably provide for themselves.
Maintaining his stand on vaccines, Montemayor expressed that he is against the mandatory vaccine inoculation among workers and said that employees who refuse or fail to be vaccinated should not be discriminated against. He believed that Filipino workers should be given increased incentives, salary, and the right motivation to improve production and employment rates.
Pacquiao pointed out that the limited work opportunities within the country is the bigger crisis compared to the competency and the quality of work produced by Filipino workers. Like De Guzman, he also proposed to strengthen TESDA programs offered to academic dropouts and individuals with limited opportunities.
Robredo believed in improving the quality of education for fresh graduates to find suitable jobs. She also raised the urgency to declare an education crisis in the Philippines and to increase the allocated budget for education recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She also favored increasing the salary of academicians and prioritizing their professional training.
References
ABS-CBN News. (n.d.). PiliPinas debates 2022: The turning point [Photograph]. ABS-CBN News. https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/03/20/20220320-comelec-debate.jpg
Inquirer.net. (2022, March 19). PiliPinas debates 2022: The turning point — first presidential debate [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-C2gRX7Qtw
