Before and even until now in this “new normal” fostered by the pandemic, poverty is one of social issues

that the Church is focusing on. The pandemic will have strong economic repercussions and create
millions of new poor people, worsening economic and social inequalities as claimed by the experts.
Forsooth, the pandemic worsened this social issue by making individuals lost their jobs, having no any
means of obtaining food and poor people having uncertainty of food supply and certainty of food hunger.
As a response, ecclesial organizations, together with government agencies and civil society associations,
are helping the marginalized by providing them the basic necessities such as rice, food, vegetables, meat
and fish. The Church uses its voice to call and ask for donations from generous individuals and
organizations to fund these necessities. Also, Forum of Philippine faith-based organizations (FBO PH)
were formed as a mutual cooperation body by Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the
National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and the Philippine Council of Evangelical
Churches (PCEC).

 “Arnold Janssen Kalinga" Foundation committed itself to feeding the poor of Manila. With the
aid of this foundation, destitute people are provided holistic, systematic and dignified approach
which improves their lives and re-integrates sense of community.
 Volunteers at a certain church in Baclaran district prepare food for distribution to health workers
in nearby hospitals as an “enhanced community quarantine” takes effect in Manila.
 The organization, FBO PH, distributed financial assistance and basic necessities to people for a
total of 30 million dollars, according to data collected until June 18.
The churches united and mustered up all their means in order to assist the marginalized and the homeless
affected by community quarantines and curfews imposed by authorities.

References:

Agenzia Fides. (2020). Unemployment and new poverty: lockdown due to the pandemic has a serious economic and
social impact. Archived from http://www.fides.org/en/news/68046-
ASIA_PHILIPPINES_Unemployment_and_new_poverty_lockdown_due_to_the_pandemic_has_a_serious_economi
c_and_social_impact?fbclid=IwAR1jn8xcAxyLnZxlDeifGcwTHPL5FDiE5OeWdh8otSwnCJ9QG76CXTqEAN4.

Agenzia Fides. (2020). Filipino churches support and assist 4,5 million families.
http://www.fides.org/en/news/68213-
ASIA_PHILIPPINES_Covid_19_Filipino_churches_support_and_assist_4_5_million_families?
fbclid=IwAR37i3Q0cAgeiEtRfsipt-OGg93tVsiLNFMj9kvPyZ6VeZBgeXa5qqhTRWk.

Hilario, E. (2020). Church in the Philippines responds to COVID-19. Licas News. Archived from
https://www.licas.news/2020/03/24/church-in-the-philippines-responds-to-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR28_9y8YG-
0IMe8f7P4CfzDR2I7ogxBtOBjSOZ9PQEkJpc1r6zhihuAej4.

Aside from poverty, press freedom is also one of the social issues the Church is fixating on. Fake news is
pervading everywhere around the world. ABS-CBN, a media which believed by Bishop Marcelino
Maralit is a vital source of information in the Philippine society, was condemned into closure amidst the
pandemic—the time in which people needed media the most. The state in the Philippines still push
through the decision of rejecting the franchise renewal application of Philippine television network ABS-
CBN due to the political agenda of those in power—just because the president denounced that ABS-CBN
was biased and favored the opposed party during last 2016 presidential election.
As a response, bishops, lay Catholic groups, and several religious leaders have slammed the decision of
the congress to reject the franchise renewal application of Philippine television network ABS-CBN. They
have used their voice in issuing statements regarding the issue.

 Manila's apostolic administrator, Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on congressmen who will vote
on ABS-CBN's franchise to realize that the people need the network, especially now that they
need news and entertainment in this time of community quarantine due to the pandemic.
 Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan had allowed the tolling of church bells in his diocese
15 minutes before the start of the congressional hearing to signify prayer and support for the
network. It is also a way for them to show their enthusiasm for the lawmakers to defend freedom
of expression and to fight for independent journalism.
 Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao promised Masses in his diocese in support of the network.
 A Catholic bishops-laymen group issued a statement for lawmakers to grant ABS-CBN a new
franchise. The Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference for Human Development said the issue further
causes divisions in society.
 The lay Catholic groups asked the lawmakers to decide for the greater good and not pander to the
political agenda of those in power. They even advised lawmakers to stand by their duty to the
nation and not to its leaders.

References:

Calleja, J. (2020). Bishops issue appeal for Philippines' biggest broadcaster. UCA News. Archived from
https://www.ucanews.com/news/bishops-issue-appeal-for-philippines-biggest-broadcaster/88663.

Calleja, J. (2020). Church decries Philippines shutting down biggest broadcaster. UCA News. Archived from
https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-decries-philippines-shutting-down-biggest-broadcaster/88738.

Gomez, J. (2020). Philippines lawmakers shut down news network; bishops call it ‘vital source’ of information. Crux Now.
Archived from https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2020/07/philippines-lawmakers-shut-down-news-network-bishops-call-it-
vital-source-of-information/.