Cost of Philippines' COVID-19 response should be charged to China, says Hontiveros

The Chinese government must shoulder the cost of the Philippines' coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response as a reparation for the damage it caused on the West Philippine Sea's reef ecosystem, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday.

"China has been damaging our ecosystems for over 6 years now, which means our losses could already amount to over 200 billion pesos. This money could be used to fund our health and economic plans as we transition to a new normal," Hontiveros said in a statement.

Citing data from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute, the opposition senator said the destruction of reefs in the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands is equivalent to at least P33.1 billion in losses annually.

"This money is past due and could go to government’s efforts in fighting the pandemic,” she added.

Moreover, Hontiveros alleged that China's reclamation operations and illegal fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The government already has a huge budget deficit because of COVID-19. China’s ongoing disregard for our own resources will worsen our economic standing. The government should demand what is rightfully ours and use this to help the Filipino people battle COVID-19,” she said.

Further, she said P50 billion worth of unpaid taxes from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry must also be demanded by the government.

Hontiveros added that she is not in favor of the proposal to allow the resumption of POGO operations to bolster state funds.

"There are essential and non-essential industries under the Enhanced Community Quarantine. POGOs join a third category that we might call ‘less than non-essential’," she said.

The POGO industry, which involves Chinese nationals in the country, has been entangled in various issues such as the "pastillas" bribery scheme at the Bureau of Immigration and alleged prostitution of women.

"Hindi na nga buo ang binabayad nilang tax, may korapsyon at sex trafficking pang pinapalaganap," Hontiveros said.

According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Tuesday, the Philippine government has committed a P1.49-trillion fund to combat the COVID-19 crisis. --KBK, GMA News