"I am calling for a clear, logical, and united action in the government."
"I am calling for a clear, logical, and united action in the government."
Last week, I got tested for COVID-19. The test came back positive. Immediately, I was put under home care. I then developed cough, mild fever, and body malaise.
Upon medical advice, I went to the hospital for treatment. I stayed in the emergency room, just like everybody else, and waited until a room in the COVID ward was available. I was given medicine and was advised to rest. Nevertheless, I continue to work as much as I can.
Having experienced COVID personally, I have seen how this disease takes its toll not only on the patient, but also on their families, the caregivers, doctors, nurses, and other frontliners.
Reflecting on this ordeal, there are two points I would like to raise. First, my experience showed that this pandemic is beyond the persistent reminder to adhere to public health and safety protocols. At this point where we have reached more than a million infections, myself included, COVID-19 can indeed strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. I am proof.
While I consider myself fortunate to only have developed mild symptoms and have resources to seek medical help, I cannot help but think about the journey of other people who are not similarly situated. Perhaps, many of us have encountered people desperately looking for supplies and/or medicines, and frontliners asking for additional PPEs. We have heard stories of those asking for monetary help to pay for their loved ones’ hospital bills. There may also be others who failed to get tested or seek medical help from hospitals, or completely decided not to do so because they didn’t have the means to pay.
Unbeknownst to many, the local legislature of Quezon decided NOT to pass the COVID budget. We are then constrained to work with the pre-COVID budget. That said, we, at the LGU, have been at the forefront of COVID-19 response. While we have been given the reins to implement health protocols, we can only do so much. This is my second point. Primarily, we need resources for continuous supply of medical equipment and PPEs for our local health facilities. We also need resources to implement programs that will mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in communities. More importantly, we ask for sound policies that will strengthen and augment our efforts to further prevent transmission of disease and provide adequate social and medical aid to the public. Hence, it is my fervent hope that the local legislature abide by the opinion of DILG and finally pass a COVID-responsive budget.
We rely so much on the combined efforts of the national agencies, legislative bodies, and other local government units. This is why I am fervently calling for a clear, logical, and united action in the government. We need to set an example for the public to cooperate, especially in following protocols and in considering the common good. It all boils down to the sense of social responsibility of each one, not only in protecting one’s self but also in protecting others. Sadly, many lack the foresight and discernment in reducing risks of COVID-19 and supporting valuable efforts of the LGU.
Moving forward, I hope that the national government, executive agencies, and other local government units urgently heed our call for action and cooperation and recognize the impact of this COVID-19 pandemic, especially on the poor.
