“…Let us not despair. The vaccine is around the corner. Sooner and not later, the virus that gobbled up thousands of lives will itself be laid to rest.”
Standing at the podium, addressing the Filipino people, President Rodrigo Duterte has delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2020 in Batasang Pambansa last July 27 with limited physical appearance from senators, representatives, and other government officials due to the pandemic.
Amidst the crisis, the President has once again expressed his encouragement to millions of Filipinos, and his grateful heart towards the never-ending hard work and bravery of the frontliners. More so, he shared his distress towards the pandemic and has conveyed his grievances concerning the deaths of thousands.
The President has constantly stated his stand “to wait for the vaccine” to resolve the pandemic in one go. This is evident in his speech as he addressed the Filipino people last month for SONA 2020. Some were encouraged but an amount of people has also expressed their disappointment as the President seemed “detached” as stated by a Filipino journalist, Marites Vitug in a post-SONA conference. Accordingly, there are more urgent problems not being recognized and discussed profoundly like a specific roadmap out of the COVID-19 plight. On the other hand, the president has constantly pleaded countries like Russia and China to receive the vaccine as soon as phase three is done. The incessant appeal is to aid the virus-stricken Filipinos and to contain its spread. In connection to this, recent reports revealed that Russia is ready to distribute the vaccine which garnered mixed emotions from Filipinos. Some conveyed fear and some have exhibited confusion and excitement. To help ease some concerns of his fellowmen, the President willingly volunteered to test the vaccine first for himself.
The plight of the pandemic has constantly brought fear, panic, confusion, and helplessness for so many. One pandemic has caused several casualties and continuously pose threats to millions of lives. Moreover, it also affected the growth of the country and the Filipino people themselves. Among the overlapping difficulties includes education, the economy, and the status of health workers.
Education
In matters of education, the academic year is still pushing through online classes. Many students, teachers, and authorities have stated their opposition to this; considering the unstable internet connection and the inaccessible gadgets and other materials needed for an online class. Statistics showed that 7 million students remain unenrolled due to the plight of pandemic and the constraints of an online class. Some schools opted for limited physical classes just to make sure students are provided the education they deserve. Despite the ambiguity and the lapses of an online class and the haste to produce learning materials, Secretary of Education Leonor Briones had insisted, firmly, to move forward and secure education for students—though recently, the Department of Education moved the opening of classes in October.
Economy
At the same time, small businesses of Filipinos have been also struggling especially vendors who roam away from their homes to ease their daily expenses— which is now impossible as strict lockdown has been enforced once again due to the rapid increase of the virus. Meanwhile, online businesses are booming as everything is done online—from shopping, groceries to deliveries. However, it was reported recently, that the Philippine economy faces its biggest quarterly decline at 16.5 percent which is said to be one the biggest fall of the country’s economy. Due to the high number of unemployed workers and thousands of overseas workers being sent home, it is a challenge to redeem the economy back as the consumption rate increases during the second lockdown imposed in the country.
Healthcare workers
Meanwhile, frontliners are also being put on-spot as numerous hospitals have reached their full capacity. There are problems with inadequate resources and materials like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), masks, and testing kits which are apparently, still not accessible to many Filipinos— especially the ones exposed to poverty and unsafe conditions; living in cramped spaces. Although the Local Government Units (LGUs) have been working ceaselessly to provide some aid like groceries and financial support, truth be told, these can only be made temporarily as the country faces a shortage in its budget to continuously suffice the needs of Filipinos.
Other Southeast Asian countries are in no better position in this pandemic. However, countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Laos are performing well in keeping the virus contained and keeping the increase rather stable as compared to the situation in the Philippines. Regardless of the vaccine’s status, the Philippines is, still, is no better place to just constantly wait with uncertainties in the back of their minds as to when the vaccine is coming. This pandemic is giving light to the shortcomings of the administration and how the system only works for those in the upper class or the “privileged”. If we want an escape from this never-ending dead ends, we must step up our game especially for those who were given the power and authority. As constituents of this country, we deserve a well-thought outline and specifications out of this plight and out of this crisis.
