By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer

After hitting a 15-year high in year 2020 with 4.5 million jobless Filipinos, Malacañang on Tuesday said cash aid distribution is not an option for now.

“Hindi pa po kasama sa mga opsyon ang pamimigay ng ayuda,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in an online Palace briefing.

Roque said reopening the Philippine economy without sacrificing health protocols is still the solution to address unemployment.

“Ang ating gagawin po ay unang una, pagbubukas pa muli ng ating ekonomiya. Pangalawa po, yung expansion ng mga age group na pupuwedeng lumabas at ang pangatlo po yung pagpaparami pa ng ating transportasyon,” Roque said.

He also noted the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination is also among the strategies to bolster economy.

“Dahil sabi ng Pangulo, magsimula lang ang pagbabakuna, ma-convince lang siya na marami rami na ang nababakunahan,  talagang tuluyan na niyang bubuksan ang ekonomiya,” Roque said.

“Pagbubukas po talaga ng ekonomiya ang solusyon para magkaroon ng mas maraming trabaho sa ating lipunan,” he added.

During the imposition of community quarantine over the country, the government has distributed to tranches of subsidies to low-income households.


RELATED ARTICLE: Philippine Daily Inquirer