AHEAD OF LOOMING ECQ

Robredo urges public: Donate to common pantries, help small biz

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday called on the public to donate to community pantries, and help small businesses as the troubled Philippine economy will face another blow during the two-week enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila starting August 6.

Earlier, the National  Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the Philippine economy will lose P105 billion for each week that Metro Manila will be under ECQ, the strictest form of pandemic lockdown. 

"Bilhan natin iyong mga nagsara para tulong sa kanila, lalo na yung mas maliliit (na negosyo)," Robredo said in her weekly radio program.

(Let's buy from small businesses, especially those who will be closed in order to help them.)

Likewise, Robredo suggested that those who can afford may donate to community pantries, as poor families are expected to suffer from the looming lockdown.

"Baka pwedeng mag-donate sa community pantries... in case walang ayuda, tayo na lang mag-donate sa nangangailangan" (Maybe we can donate to community pantries... in case no cash aid is coming, let's help those in need.)

During the hard lockdown in April, community pantries -- inspired by the Maginhawa Street Community Pantry in Quezon City -- sprouted across the country to help those who cannot afford to buy basic goods. 

Late last week, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said there are no guidelines yet  on the distribution of cash subsidy during the August 6 to 20 ECQ. —LBG, GMA News