Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Tuesday urged the government to extend support to middle-class Filipinos, who continue to feel the brunt of the ongoing crisis but are not covered by existing aid programs.
Speaking at the hearing of the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) Committee on March 24, Ejercito emphasized that middle-income earners account for roughly 40% of the population and deserve attention.
“Kailangan rin po nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang ating mga middle class income earners na siyang bumubuo sa 40% ng ating populasyon. Sila rin po ang sumasalo at pumapasan sa bigat ng krisis na ito ngunit walang nakalaang ayuda para sa kanila,” he said.
Ejercito proposed creating an inter-agency task force to coordinate government action during crises.
“Mainam po sana na sa gitna ng krisis ay agaran itong binubuo at kumikilos upang makapagbigay din ng agarang mga solusyon,” he added.
The senator warned that the Philippines is already experiencing the effects of the Middle East conflict and urged preparation similar to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi na po normal ang sitwasyon. And what we have to do right now is do the preparation just like during the covid when there was uncertainty,” Ejercito said.
He stressed that the government’s response should go beyond short-term relief to provide clear, swift, and concrete support to citizens.
“Our response must go beyond short-term relief. Ang ating mga kababayan ay nakatingin at umaasa sa atin. Ipakita po natin na may malinaw, mabilis, at konkretong aksyon tayo para sa kanila,” he added.