UP refutes reports on stranded construction workers who resorted to picking fruits, eating stray animals
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:00 p.m.) — The University of the Philippines Diliman refuted social media posts and reports that a group of construction workers stranded inside its campus resorted to eating stray animals and fruits from trees in the area to get by this lockdown period.
A PEP.ph report citing information from Alfred Allan Jose, said to be the founder of Quezon City COVID-19 Food and Goods donation, said that construction workers left in the Diliman compound resorted to eating rats and stray cats to alleviate their hunger. They also started eating fruits from trees inside the campus.
According to the report, the workers could not come home to their provinces due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
ABS-CBN also reported on Tuesday that some construction workers had to pick fruits from trees to fill their stomachs after the three sacks of rice given by their employer ran out.
But UP Diliman issued a bulletin on late Tuesday night saying that its Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development talked to the workers who said they received P4,000 on March 17 an P2,000 on April 14 from their employers.
UPD-Bulletin-2020-17
— UP Diliman (@Official_UPD) April 21, 2020
In this trying time, the media as the fourth estate must all the more be prudent and responsible in its reportage. It must always be factual and objective, and should not if possible, sow any fear nor paranoia among the public. pic.twitter.com/zGVve0FxFb
The PEP report mentioned that the UP administration had not been remiss in helping the stranded construction workers.
“The OVCPD also inspected their supply room, which contained three sacks of rice (25 kilograms each) and canned goods from the All UP Workers Union and other organizations inside the campus,” it added.
“According to one of the workers, they were shocked when the news went viral, because those photos were taken by a group of people who went to their site to distribute relief goods, but neither interviewed them nor asked about their situation,” the bulletin read.
UP asked media agencies to “practice responsible journalism” and citizens to verify information before sharing on social media. “In this time of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, there should be no room for paranoia and fake news,” it added.
UP helped the workers
In a statement sent to Philstar.com, Jose explained that their account as cited by the PEP report came from “accounts from the people on the ground” and how this spurred them into action.
“In a span of two days, the family distributed 45 cavans of rice out of pocket, and [is] currently distributing a van of vegetables,” he added.
He also stressed that their group said UP has helped those stranded in its campus in the lockdown period. “They have been nothing but accommodating to our brothers and sisters stranded there.”
Jose said they understand that fake news and donations may be charged with sensitivity especially in this time of health crisis, but they “also acknowledge the fact that people have the right to relay and account their own experiences of their situation, even though it does not conform with what our ideals and norms are.”
“There will be different sides, different stories, different opinions about the matter, but the fact remains, our brothers and sisters need help,” he added.
He also said that their group will continue their donation drive.
Help still appreciated
UP also said that its COVID-19 Task Force continues to address the needs of all its sectors.
Help may be coursed through the following channels:
- GCash and Paymaya: 09167654695
- Paypal: paypal.me/tieromesantos
- BPI: 9239 4326 43/Marco Giorgione A. Dava
- GoGetFunding: https://gogetfunding/com/fundraiser-for-upds-maninindas-and-jeepney-drivers/
Those who will donate are asked to email a copy of the deposit slip or online transaction to [email protected] and indicate the item (alcohol, rice, canned food) to be brought with the cash aid.
President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on Thursday on changes after the lockdown’s expiration on April 30. — Kristine Joy Patag
Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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