Año: Gov't looking for ways to continue helping families affected by COVID-19

Following President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks that the government no longer has money amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured the public that the government would continue to extend assistance to affected families.

In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday, Año was asked for reaction on Duterte's statement despite financial aid being provided by private firms and other countries.

Año said the public should not be worried as the national government continues to look for ways in helping the public. He noted that addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is the government's priority.

"Ang ating SAP, ayon dito sa batas na ibinigay sa Bayanihan Act, dalawang buwan lang talaga pero may mga maitutulong pa rin 'yung ating gobyerno, pagbibigay ng relief goods, pagbibigay ng anumang services, mga donation natin ay pupuwede din nating mapamahagi," he said.

"Patuloy namang gumagawa ng paraan ang ating pamahalaan kung paano makapagbigay ng ayuda sa ating mga kababayan. Meron namang kapangyarihan ang ating pamahalaan na magrealign ng budget... Habang may problema ng COVID-19, ito pa rin ang magiging priority natin so huwag mag-aalala ang ating mga kababayan," Año added.

In his recent public address, Duterte said the government no longer has money but he ensured that he will look for fund to purchase transistor radios which could be used as alternative modes of learning, especially in far-flung areas.

Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino II earlier said the government would borrow at least P400 billion to support the COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

Lambino said the funding will come from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and other financial institutions.—AOL, GMA News