Fishers demand ‘free mask distribution’
Manila, Philippines – As the government implements a mandatory use of face mask for the entire population of Luzon during the lockdown, a group of small fisherfolk is asking for free distribution of face mask, especially to the poor families.
“The approach should be educational campaign and service instead of punitive and authoritarian. This new strict measure should not give way to authorities to abuse their power over helpless and poor civilians who are unable to obtain their own face masks. The government should carry out free mask distribution as part of its preventive measure against the spread of the virus disease,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
Earlier, Anakpawis Party-list called on the government to carry out mass and free distribution of face mask for all poor sectors, as a doable and concrete step to contain the spread of the pandemic corona virus disease (COVID-19) among the population.
“The most urgent yet doable solution to contain the spread of the virus is to make personal protective equipment, particularly face mask, accessible for all. It is not enough that they just tighten the preventive measure as it would only result to abuse of authorities,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
Moreover, PAMALAKAYA called for a long term extensive and systematic medical solution to the spread of the virus, such as advancement of public health services and development of health and medical facilities. ###
