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Why Filipinos Support President's Extended Virus Containment Shutdowns
Despite Economic Hardship

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Shutdowns in the Philippines through April 30 to
   containthecoronavirusspreadare expected to give President Rodrigo
   Duterte a new burst of public support despite economic hardships on a
   largely impoverished population.

   Duterte ordered in March that the National Capital Region be sealedoff
   throughApril 14 and two weeks ago extended the order through April 30.
   The initial mandate came after officials discovered local transmission
   of the deadly coronavirus-induced respiratory disease COVID-19 that has
   infected 5,223 people in the Philippines and killed 335.

   Metro Manila, population 13 million, plus surrounding Luzon Island are
   subject to shutdowns and curfews through month's end.

   Economic stimulus and public health aid expected to total $23 billion,
   up to 6% of GDP, in the Philippines is helping to ease discontent,
   analysts believe. They say the aid is reaching the poor as well as
   others after a rough, confusing start.In March, one group of slum
   dwellers in Metro Manila protested along a highway after not receiving
   food supplies as expected.

   Vice President Leni Robredo's office, for example, had distributed food
   packages to health workers, hospitals and community centers, her office
   said in a statement March 18.

   "Of course, there are challenges, but it's slowing working into the
   system, so that's why they were confident in extending the lockdown to
   April 30," said JonathanRavelas, chief market strategist with Banco de
   Oro UniBank.

   In a boost for Duterte, the Philippine Senate voted unanimously last
   month on a bill declaring a national state of emergency. The Senate
   gave Duterte special powers over the budget and government programs as
   related to coronavirus control, domestic media outlets reported.

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