Keeping up with Kaguta S1E13: Another 14 days of Lockdown

Well, it is about that time. Well, the President, the Fountain of Honour, the bravest men of the all and the last Pan-African Hero (if you believe his son Muhoozi). Is back at it again. This time not on schedule, because he thinks everyone can wait for him during the imposed lockdown. Since, no one dares to boil chai or matooke while this man is on Telly or broadcast on the local radio station.

Like the previous editions of these National Addresses, whose way to long to our concern and has to much trash talk from the old man with the hat. The only man with a vision. I will only take my favourite quotes and digest them. Before calling it a day.

Quotes of this late evening:

What needs to be done is for our granddaughters to keep away from the drivers” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

Very soon, Uganda will be exporting sanitizers. Because you have always been having Waragi, killing you, now it’s going to be used to make sanitizers” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

Runyankore Proverb: ‘Owayangire kugojegyera ngu otarota’

Translation: You can’t refuse to sleep for the fear of bad dreams” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

Warehouses are vital for storing of factory products, they will be allowed to operate. Students should first stay at home. I am more comfortable with them being at home than going to school with these kinds of situations” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

Nobody who is coughing or sneezing should be allowed to mix with others. All the other measures will stay in place for 14 more days” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

All we are asking banks and landlords to do is reschedule loan payment, not forgive them. The government will not tolerant such inconsiderate actions of not reconsidering loans” – Museveni (04.05.2020).

So I am done for the night, the importance thing is that the lockdown is extended for the third time for 14 more days. This is from Wednesday. Therefore, the days with lockdown get’s close to two months as we are ticking into 45 days or so in my calculation.

Also, as we are seeing, the President is opening up the Republic. However, slow and soft. Who is wholesaling? Who is the essential mechanic? I don’t know, but Jason Statham isn’t around to verify whose the shooter and whose fixing the Land Rover. What we do see, is that the President is really vulnerable about the lorry drivers and their sexual affections towards the ladies. Its like a personal obsession at this point. What’s up with that?

He also went deep with the Runyankore proverb today. As the COVID-19 shouldn’t stop you from sleeping, but continue to live. Also, the opening of hardware-shops, restaurants for take-away and whole-sale. Not to forget the mechanics and the carpenters. Clearly a sign of less restrictions. However, when these people are crossing the LDUs, the Police Officers and whatnot. Will them get a pass or need a certificate? Since he cars of essential drivers needs that these days. So, how will this be enforced?

Let’s see how this goes. There is so much said in a speech like this, but not much to take from it. Only wondering, if the state will continue to deliver food and at what level. Since this is the third one of these and it only bites more with time. The hit gets harder and the lack of security is ever present. Peace.

RDC: FARDC – Sukola II Nord Kivu – Communique de Presse No. 1/20 (04.05.2020)

Eswatini: Ministry of Health – COVID-19 Update (04.05.2020)

Zimbabwe: Details on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery and Stimulus Package (04.05.2020)

Opposition Leaders of Uganda letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the ongoing human rights violations in our country (04.05.2020)

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration: Advisory No. 56 – Series of 2020 – No POEA Governing Board Resolution Requiring Payment of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) Contribution in the Issuance of Overseas Employment Certifications (OECs) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) – (04.05.2020)

Philippines: Duterte backtracks mandatory premium contributions to PHILHEALTH for Filipino abroad

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) no longer have to worry about paying higher PhilHealth premium contributions at this time of health crisis brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s decision for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to make payment for PhilHealth premiums voluntary for OFW” (Presidential Communications Operations Office, PCOO – ‘PH gov’t suspends PhilHealth premium payments for OFWs – Palace’ 04.05.2020).

Today, there is news that President Rodrigo Duterte has suspended or backtracked the Premium Contributions for Philippine Health Insurance Company Circular Number 14, which stated that all Filipino citizens abroad would be mandatory pay hefty contribution to PHILHEALTH. Even as they are abroad, living in other nations where they either have insurance or taxed for services where they resides.

This is why I didn’t like the idea and what the circular would do to the Filipinos abroad. It would kill the need for dual-citizenship, as the Filipino’s abroad would pay for services not rendered. They would have insurance or taxes for services where they working overseas and also paying in the Philippines. That would make sense if the Filipino have spouse or children left behind. However, making it mandatory for everyone is insincere and banking on its citizens.

That is why President and Chief Director Richardo C. Morales, should step up his game if he believed in this scheme and pay double taxes for the same services. Since, that is what he initially initiated. Maybe he doesn’t see it that way, but he should get his mind correct. Unless, he has unlimited pesos from his work to pay double premium contributions to PHILHEALTH. Because, that is what the Overseas Filipinos would do.

The mentality of ushering this in. On a circular, really shows the intentions. Even if the President suspends it now. The cat is out of the bag. Someone else than Richardo might bring it back. Because, this will be funds in the bank. That the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), Seafares and everyone living abroad can be tricked by the state. Since, they would have to pay into a scheme, which they don’t get served. Doesn’t matter if the Filipino lives in the United States, Middle East or Europe. None of them get to enjoy the perks of PHILHEALTH. They are paying for the system in the nation where they reside. That should be a given, but clearly not for the Richardo.

That is why the President has to backtrack the ideas of Richardo and his PHILHEALTH. If Richardo wants the Filipino abroad to invest in it. Make it accessible and also favourable. Not only put “dollar dollar bills y’all” and remember to pay out 3 % of your salaries to me! Since, that is what the man did and what he ordered every Filipino abroad. He found a cow and wanted to milk it dry. That’s why it went up from 60,000 pesos to 100,000 pesos within a few years time.

Richardo should donate that first and show the check to the public. If he believed in this thing. Since, his the Chief Director of PHILHEALTH. Not only expect hardworking Filipino abroad to cover the shortfall of the insurance company.

Well, the President saved the day after outrage from the ones abroad feeling hoodwinked. Richardo is surely dumfounded, but we are awaiting him to pay double tax and smile to the bank. Like he should smile and grin, even post it on social media. To prove the greatness.

Since, it is suspended, but if they don’t want this thing. Then the state should abolish the idea and silence PHILHEALTH. So, they cannot re-issue this at a later date, when the rainfall has stopped. Peace.

Mali: Communique No. 63 du Ministere de la Sante et des Affaires Sociales sur le Suvi des Actions de Prevention et de Riposte Face a la Maladie a Coronavirus (04.05.2020)

One South Africa: Call for Government to Ramp Up Allocation of Permits for Food Distribution to Vulnerable Communities (04.05.2020)

Ethiopia: Notification Note on COVID-19 Situational Update (04.05.2020)