IBON Foundation criticized the remarks of Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno regarding the giving out of cash aid in relation to the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
During the hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations, Diokno proposed that the government discontinue the distribution of pandemic cash aid, which he called 'a waste of public funds'.
IBON Foundaion executive director Sonny Africa laments the statement made by Diokno.
Africa said that Diokno has the wrong idea that economy of the Philippines has begun to recover, and that the government lacks funds to provide financial assistance, particularly to the micro, small, and medium enterprises.
"Nagtataka kami kung bakit may ganoon sinasabi si Sec. Diokno. Nagtataka kung saan nagmula," said Africa on Friday, September 2, during DZRH's Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
"Kasi yung sinasabi niya na walang problema sa ekonomiya, bumabangon na yung mga tao, mukhang hindi iyon yung realidad," he added.
Africa said that the economic managers of the government, particularly Diokno, does not understand how ordinary people sees economy.
"Para sa kanila (economic managers) ang ekonomiya ay mga malalaking negosyo, mga dayuhan, mga foreign investors, mga bangkero. Para sa kanila yung pag-invest sa ekonomiya ay hindi pag-invest sa mamayang Pilipino," Africa explained.
"Medyo ang laking sabit doon sa pag-iisip ng economic managers na hindi kailangan ng ayuda. Lalong malaking sabit yung proposal na mag-tipid sa ordinaryong Pilipino," he stressed.
