FORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday pushed for the use of digital technology to make the distribution of government subsidies easier for Filipinos in anticipation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Ididikit mo rin sa QR code yung digital wallet, para everytime we give ayuda, hindi na tayo mag-bahay-bahay. Kung naka-QR code bawat Pilipino, mas madali natin mapapadala,” Cayetano said.

He said aside from cash assistance, the QR code could contain other information like vaccination status and even the national ID.

Meanwhile, Cayetano pushed government to be proactive in addressing the pandemic, saying it has been in apparent denial of the situation.

“Ang problema po is the in-denial mindset na parang panandalian lang itong COVID, at matatapos na ito. Noong dumating po ang bakuna, akala natin tapos na ito … Start being proactive, ‘wag ‘yung kung ano ang problema kahapon, ngayon lang natin inaasikaso,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano said the government had been merely reactive to COVID-19 and lacked swiftness to curb the threat of the Delta variant.

“Yung adaptive and innovative, kulang na kulang. Kung kailan mag-EECQ, tsaka palang maghahanap ng pera para sa ayuda,” he said.

House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said that the already much delayed ayuda to be given by the Duterte administration before the ECQ is clearly not enough.

“Ni wala pa nga ang pinangakong ayuda tapos ngayon kulang pa daw ng mahigit P200 million ang nirelease ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management)? Binabarat na nga ang indibidwal nilang makukuhang ayuda tapos binawasan pa ang pangkalahatang budget dito,” Zarate said.

“As it is, what still needs to be done is for Malacanang to push for the immediate passing of Bayanihan 3, conduct mass testing and fast track the vaccination drive. Di uubra na palagi na lang lockdown at binabarat pa ang ayuda sa mamamayan,” Zarate added.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco