WITH Covid19 cases in the country having a new surge, several youth groups on Saturday launched a campaign urging the government to provide a ‘people-centered and health-centered’ pandemic response.

In their so called ‘12 Puntong Panawagan para sa Kagyat, Nararapat, at Makataong Tugon sa Lockdown’, the groups stressed that lockdowns alone cannot end the Covid19 crisis in the country.

“Malapit nang mag-dalawang taon ang lockdown sa bansa ngunit mas lalo lamang lumulubha ang sitwasyon ng ating mga kababayan sa usapin ng kalusugan, kabuhayan, karapatan at edukasyon,” it said.

“Malinaw na walang plano ang rehimeng Duterte upang ibsan ang pasanin ng mga mamamayang Pilipino kung kaya nararapat na kalampagin ang administrasyong ito,” it added.

The group called for a P5,000 financial aid to those in need, an imposition of price freeze on basic necessities and moratorium on house rent, electric, and water bills, postponement of impending eviction of poor communities, free transportation for essential and healthcare workers, urgent certification of bill providing a 14-day paid pandemic leave to workers, support of small business, and assistance to the education sector.

The groups also called for an increase on Covid19 testing, aggressive contact tracing, an improved vaccine rollout, free treatment of sick people, continuation of relief and humanitarian efforts, and respect for basic rights of individuals who violated quarantine protocols.

The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, Student Aid Network, National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors of the Philippines, and Kabataan Partylist spearheaded the campaign.