"Information—correct information—saves lives."
The recent spike in the number of COVID-19- positive individuals, the serious threat to health, safety, and security of Filipinos, and the severe disruption of economic activities led the Philippine Congress to declare a state of national emergency leading to the enactment of Republic Act No. 11469 otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.”
It is a law with a “good, sound bite” that capitalizes on the Philippine custom of unity to achieve a collective goal. With the present realities, President Duterte was given, by law, the power to adopt provisional measures to address the actual and anticipated effects of the pandemic.
But how effective will the measures be in grappling with the needs of the heavily affected? Are the funds of government adequate for these needs?
The measures appear to be broad in scope, but its efficiency remains to be seen. As capsulized, the temporary measures are: (a) to shoulder the medical expenses of health workers if found to be COVID-19 positive; (b) to compensate for illness or death of public and private health workers as a result of COVID-19; (c) to give a special risk allowance on top of hazard pay for health workers; (d) to provide subsidies to low income households; (e) to direct privately owned hospitals and medical facilities as quarantine areas or medical relief locations; (f) to protect the public from hoarding, profiteering and pernicious practices that affect supply and distribution of basic necessities; (g) to ensure availability of credit to the productive sectors; (h) to liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacturing of healthcare equipment and supplies; (i) to allocate cash, funds, and investments including unutilized or unrealized subsidies held by any GOCC or any national agency to address the COVID-19 emergency; (j) to move deadlines and timelines for the filing of any document, and the payment of taxes, fees and other charges; (k) to direct all banks, quasi-banks, financing companies and other financial institutions including GSIS, SSS and Pag-ibig Fund to implement a grace period for a minimum of thirty (30) days for the payment of the loan; (l) to provide a grace period of thirty (30) days on residential rent payments during the enhanced community quarantine without interest, fees and other charges; and (m) to hold liable those who create, perpetuate, and spread false information regarding COVID-19 on social media and other platforms.
With the immense power given to the President, he has to dutifully submit weekly reports to Congress of all acts and measures performed during the preceding week. To monitor these, Congress established a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. While the President’s actions are carefully monitored, do we expect the same level of monitoring of the local government officials implementing the measures on the ground? Is the potential liability, and penalties such as fines and/or imprisonment under R.A. 11469 and other existing laws enough to abate the abuses of public officers? The general public is apprehensive of the known practice of some politicians in diverting government funds for their personal benefit and pursuits. These stopgap measures, though positive actions, may be utilized by these unscrupulous individuals as convenient leaks or cracks to deplete our already limited resources.
What then can we, as Filipinos, do to ease the impact of the COVID-19 on our way of life?
Transparency in disclosing material information is imperative since correct information saves lives. When a person under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 goes through the triage in the hospital (to decide the order of treatment), it is important for the PUI to make full disclosure of his travel history, persons he had contact with, places he previously visited, and the symptoms he manifested. This cannot be emphasized enough. Otherwise, the health and safety of the medical frontliners will be jeopardized.
Another is not to engage in compulsive hoarding and profiteering that will affect the supply and distribution of basic necessities. Barangay officials should not issue quarantine passes for profit, knowing that this is part of their duty to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in their respective communities. Social media platform users including political operators should desist from disseminating false news and information that will further sow confusion, anarchy, and fear at this time of uncertainty.
Relevant authorities should not procure sub-standard personal protective equipment (PPE) and non-FDA certified test kits just for profit. There should be stringent regulations regarding the distribution of the limited PPEs to the hospitals that need it the most. Accountability should be observed for the limited government funds to be allocated to government hospitals, for financial assistance to disadvantaged and displaced workers, for livelihood programs, feeding programs, and distribution of food and non-food items for local government units.
Make donations to established and credible groups and institutions that will see to it that your donations will reach the intended beneficiaries. Stay home unless going out is extremely necessary, as it will help contain the spread of COVID-19. Being a volunteer to supplement and support the tired, drained and quarantined medical workers is an option that will be most appreciated. We salute the volunteers. In short, this is not the time to engage in politics, and excessive brand promotions; nor is it the time to encourage the culture of diversity and regionalism.
Let us be one nation in battling this pandemic.
