Treading on dangerous waters
A year ago, the fear of the invisible enemy was the compelling reason why there seemed to be no opposition to the curtailment of our freedoms in the name of public health and public safety.
During the early months of the lockdown, the government bankrolled the basic needs of those affected most by the loss of their jobs, pay cuts, closure of businesses, and other difficulties.
After almost a year of restrictions, the government is now making a shift in approaching the COVID-19 problem. The whole country will shift to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) by March 1 of this year if the President approves the IATF recommendation. NEDA strongly recommendsplacing the entire country under MGCQ to address hunger and income losses caused by prolonged lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NEDA’s top economist, quarantine restrictionsin place since March last year have caused a total income loss of P1.04 trillion or P2.8 billion per day, which translates to an average annual income loss of P23,000 per worker.
Despite another round of increase in COVID-19 cases in Cebu, the idea of putting the said province under stricter quarantine measures does not sit well with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Meanwhile, Bohol Governor Arthur Yap recently issued Executive Order No. 12, series of 2021, citing the need to increase economic activity within the Province of Bohol.
Non-profit research group Ibon Foundation, however, branded the move as “short-sighted and desperate.” It argued that shifting to MGCQ will not be enough to revive the economy since easing restrictions will not spur recovery without a real fiscal stimulus while risking the more rapid spread of COVID-19. Octa Research also warns that COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could hit 2,400 per day if it shifts to MGCQ. The shift is ‘risky’ and ‘contrary to sensible epidemic management.’ The regions will be under a constant threat of a surge due to people’s increased mobility, reduced social distancing, and diminished compliance with health protocols.
It is now apparent that people are crying for a better approach in dealing with the pandemic. Rich countries pin their hopes on their vaccination program, which started late last year. But the Philippine vaccination program does not inspire hope. No supply agreement has been signed yet, and the delivery dates of the vaccine remain unclear.
Unless our government officials do their best to roll out its mass vaccination program, the country will be treading on dangerous waters if the government will let its guards downin the light of its continuing failure to adopt a new approach to mitigate the risks. Without an effective risk-mitigating strategy, shifting to a less restrictive quarantine measure is bordering on recklessness.