2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 19 prices to PHP800.6 billion. The reduction in output is due to the effect of quarantine measures on the service sector, primarily from the wholesale, retail, and other sub-sectors that include hospitality services and entertainment, which comprises more than 40 percent of the total employment in the region. Thus, instead of the projected 10.6% growth in 2020, the economy will grow by 4.4% only because of the pandemic.74 75 About 45 percent of affected establishments (4,178 firms) are in the regional center – Cagayan de Oro City, employing 84,624 workers (52% of the regional total). This is followed by the province of Bukidnon, with 1,550 firms employing 24,312 workers (15%), Lanao del Norte, including Iligan City (13.9%), Misamis Oriental (10.8%), Misamis Occidental (10.1%), and Camiguin (3.7%). In an interview, the NEDA-X director stated that 35 establishments in the region had declared closure, 23 of which are in Cagayan de Oro City. 181 establishments had also reported to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that they have retrenched or reduced their workforce, 117 are from Cagayan de Oro City.76 39 As a response to the socio-economic impact of the pandemic, the government injected various stimulus and social amelioration programs that served as economic relief and spurred economic activities. As of 15 June 2020, about 13,310,857 low income non-4Ps families (or 98.19%) out of the 13,556,093 targeted family beneficiaries received cash assistance, while a total of 4,239,125 4Ps families (or 98.87%) out of the targeted 4,287,676 households benefited from the emergency cash assistance distributed by the DSWD, with a total amount of cash assistance disbursed at PHP18,374,010,750.00. DSWD provided emergency cash subsidy to 242,453 public utility vehicles (PUVs) and transportation network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers (or 109%) out of the targeted 90,000 beneficiaries, with a total assistance of PHP1,713,168,500.001. DSWD also provided an Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. A total of 399,730 recipients for COVID19-related concerns (e.g., medical and burial assistance) benefited for a total amount of PHP1,767,109,378.23. A total of 2,837,445 indigent senior citizens received their social pension amounting to PHP8,512,335,000.00.77 40 On April 27, 2020, CHR launched an online system where people can report incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) occurring while the Philippines is on lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through its website, users will be prompted to provide details about the incident to be reported. CHR commits to respond to the cases through its referral network, to ensure the observance of safety protocols and increase awareness about domestic violence while in quarantine. In relation, the CHR together with The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) strongly condemn all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) during the COVID-19 crisis in a Joint Solidarity Statement last May 2020.78 41 To combat hunger, DSWD distributed 1,914,066 family food packs, 5,110 ready-to-eat food, 2,570 tents, 78,198 hygiene kits, 4,305 sleeping kits, 20 kitchen kits, 1,759 family kits, and other food and non-food items to LGUs for a total of PHP992,920,485.56. In addition, a supplementary feeding program for a total of 1,755,363 children included meals amounting 74 NEDA, COVID-19 Regional Recovery Program 2020-2022, available at http://nro10.neda.gov.ph/COVID-19regional-recovery-program-2020-2022/, accessed 4 November 2020. 75 (2020). 1st Semester 2020 Regional Situation Report. Cagayan De Oro City: CHR Regional Office 10. 76 Ibid. 77 See http://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/4036/National_Task_force_CORONAVIRUS_Disease_2019_issued_ on_21September2020.pdf. 78 Gavilan, J. (2020, April 27). CHR launches online reporting portal for gender-based violence during lockdown. Retrieved from Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/nation/chr-online-reporting-portal-gender-based-violencecoronavirus-lockdown.