Villar questions providing cash aid to middle class families "May sweldo sila"

Senator Cynthia Villar questioned the need to provide cash aid to middle-class Filipino families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Referring to the government's target to provide financial assistance to 18 million families which covered 82 percent of the population, includes the poor and low income families, Villar said during Senate Committee of the Whole hearing. 

"Yung 18 million is 82%. Bakit bibigyan 'yung middle eh may trabaho sila, kahit lockdown nagsusweldo sila sa gobyerno kung employed by the government. Kung employed naman ng mga private, nagsusweldo rin sila kaya nga nahihirapan ang mga companies kasi they have to pay the salaries even if there is no business," Villar said.

Added that the poor are deprived of aid because middle class are included in the program.

"Hindi ko ma-accept ang figures na 'yun. Masyadong mataas. Nade-deprive ang mahihirap dahil binibigyan pati ang middle class," Villar added.

The senator is referring to their companies who have thousands of employees receiving their salaries even they stay at home.

"Kasi kami libu-libo ang empleyado namin kahit hindi sila napasok, sinuswelduhan namin. Eh bakit sila pa ang bibigyan ng SAP? Eh may suweldo sila, mapalad sila may sweldo sila," Villar said.

Under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, a total of 18 million low-income families will receive cash subsidy from P5,000 to P8,000, depending on prevailing regional minimum wage rates, for two months during the health crisis.