Extended ECQ vs. People of the Philippines

Extended ECQ vs. People of the Philippines

It has been forty-two days since the ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’ was implemented in Luzon (plus two days if you want to include the precedent ‘Community Quarantine’). Despite of limited movement, the total number of COVID-19 infected Filipinos continue to escalate. As of today, on the 26th of April year 2020, we have a total of 7,579 infected people in the Philippines.

As the numbers continue to spike, the government, upon the recommendation of health advisors, extended the ECQ until May 15, 2020. A logical resolution, given the situation since we are not getting any better.

It was a very tough decision for the administration, knowing that the continuing quarantine has greatly affected businesses especially the SMEs (Small and Mid-size Enterprise) who totally depend on day-to-day profit; including daily wage earners. However, we are in crisis; the safety and security of the people come first for any government on top of business matters. Quoting Antonio Luna from the movie Heneral Luna, “Negosyo o

kalayaan? Bayan o sarili? Pumili ka!”. These are perfect lines we could apply during these times. The government is doing what it can to sustain the people's need for food by allotted funds, distributed through LGUs (Local Government Units). However, there have been delays in the issuance of subsidy and relief goods due to certain limitations in logistics. Many have not yet received help from their Local Government Units (LGUs). With this, people are looking forward to receiving aid from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and even private individuals took the initiative of reaching out to as many needy countrymen as they could.

It is quite disappointing, however, that there are some who use the subsidy not for primary needs especially food, but for vices and splendor. People have been caught using the aid to buy illegal drugs and for hair rebonding treatment. It is infuriating how these people whine about help, yet use it inappropriately. What’s more upsetting is that there are still families who haven’t received any subsidy yet but need it all the more; people who should have obtained the wasted aid instead.

For weeks, many people have been itching to go out of their homes. Boredom is present among a lot, if not the majority (except for introverts like I am who doesn’t mind staying at home, since there is so much we could do without going out at all); and the boredom it is understandable. We must realize, however, that lifting the ECQ without the assurance of COVID-19’s ‘certain containment’ is intolerable. Given the ‘still’ large number of infected citizens (and rising), and knowing that people already have long-planned celebrations and vacations as soon as the ECQ ends, it will be like a mass suicide party. We cannot risk the further proliferation of the virus which will only make things worse.

We could all get through the crisis given proper cooperation and coordination amongst every side of the community: the civilians, health workers, law enforcers, etc. It is a battle that we could survive only by working together, and discipline is key. Let us all do our part and follow orders from the government who has carefully studied the situation and necessary solutions; resistance is futile.

Must also learn how to respect all our COVID-19 Frontliners – health workers, law enforcers, bankers, pharmacy personnel, supermarket personnel, and all other workers who risk their health each day in order to serve the community. Misbehavior is unacceptable…

“Hangga’t hindi tayo natututong gumalang sa ating mga sarili, kailanma’y hindi tayo igagalang ng ibang lahi.”

-Dr. Jose Rizal, Madrid Spain (Jose Rizal 1998 film)

Gerard “Sannin” Salimpade