When it comes to extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, science has found an ally in one of the spiritual leaders of the House of Representatives.
House Minority Leader Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. on Sunday said that he supports the position of House Ways and Means Chair Jose Maria “Joey” Salceda, who recently urged the government to adopt a two-week extension of the Luzon-wide ECQ.
Abante, a full-time pastor and the founder of the Metropolitan Bible Baptist Church and Ministries, said he agreed with Salceda, who presented empirical and historical data to support his case for the extension of the ECQ.
“I concur with my good friend and colleague, Rep. Salceda, when he says we should look at the data and heed the input of our scientists and medical professionals,” said the lawmaker.
According to Abante, “whatever decisions we make regarding this outbreak should factor in the numbers and should take into consideration the experiences of other nations that have grappled with this pandemic. Clearly, in this case, we must listen to science––but also not forget that even the Good Book has wise words for times like these.”
Abante pointed out that Isaiah 26:20 (KJV) says: “come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”
“Containing this outbreak should be our number one priority, and data from all over the world shows that measures such as the ECQ are effecting in reducing the transmission of the virus. So let us continue doing this until the data shows it is safe for us to lift the ECQ.”
The legislator urged the government, however, to step up the distribution of subsidies to underprivileged families i”n order to ensure that no one goes hungry while they are forced by circumstances to stay indoors.”
“Marami sa ating kababayan di makapagtrabaho at walang kita habang sila ay naka-quarantine. To help them cope with this ECQ they must be given adequate support so they can still buy food and other essentials,” stressed Abante.
“Our people want to cooperate and will cooperate with measures like the ECQ if government takes care of them. Basta nandyan ang tulong para sa mga nangangailangan, maaasahan natin ang kooperasyon ng taumbayan.”