Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed in the Laging Handa Public Briefing the government has added five million more families to the initial 18 million beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP).
He reported the IATF has recommended Albay and Zamboanga City to undergo enhanced community quarantine and is waiting for the approval of the President.
Roque clarified provincial governors may declare ECQ in their component cities and municipalities from May 1 to 15 as long as the IATF has a go signal. Mayors of highly urbanized cities may also declare ECQ on some barangays with the conformity of the local IATF.
Meanwhile, the Palace explained anew the decision to allow the resumption of partial operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and reiterated the proceeds from the industry will be allotted to the government’s response on COVID-19.
“Ang POGOs naman po kasi ay isang klase ng BPO. Wala pong favoritism diyan…Hindi po CASINO ang POGO, ang POGO po walang sugal na nangyayari sa Pilipinas. Ang sugal po ay abroad… (The POGO is a type of BPO. There is no favoritism. POGO is not a casino, there is no gambling happening in the Philippines. The gambling is done abroad),” Roque said.
