NGO launches hotline for legal advice, consultation during quarantine

MANILA, Philippines, April 9 ------ Legal group Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS, Inc.) this weekend launched a crisis hotline to provide accessible legal advice, consultation, and information aid to the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the hotline, the non-government organization's lawyers and paralegals will be made available to answer the public's queries on government protocols, relief operations, social welfare concerns and legal rights education in the context of the enhanced community quarantine. "For any concerns and questions, you may reach the IDEALS Hotline through 0966 760 9397 or chat our IDEALS Facebook Page," IDEALS said. IDEALS said that its hotline data analysis showed the most Filipinos are affected particularly by illegal dismissal or suspension by employers, salary and hazard pay issues and lacking support from local governments. “Everyone should have access to factual and relevant information and practicable advice, so they can have guided decisions during this challenging time,” lawyer Ansheline Bacudio, IDEALS legal coordinator, said. “Many respondents are distressed over meeting their day-to-day expenses. Without work and pay, daily wage earners in low-income communities have no money to buy food and other necessities, and must rely on government dole outs that may or may not be given to them. This proves that the right to quality life is greatly compromised." "[T]he government, up to this date, fails to appease the public. While other countries battle the coronavirus, the Duterte administration wages a war that hurts mostly the poor," IDEALS Inc. said in a press statement sent to reporters. Mainland Luzon is entering its fourth week under enhanced community quarantine, which has severely restricted movement and has largely left the vulnerable grappling with uncertainty. Much has been documented about the treatment of violators of the quarantine, some of whom were made to stay in cages, sit in direct sunlight for hours on end, and even arrested for peaceful protest. Source: philstar.com