Metro Manila used to be a place I didn't see myself living in. Today, I (literally) can't get out of it. 

It’s been a year since I moved to Metro Manila – Quezon City to be exact. I came from Isulan, a humble town in Central Mindanao where the population is 32 times less and where traffic is something you only hear in the news. 

Isulan is a progressive first-class municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat. Although it has developed greatly in the past years, people still enjoy the simple, relaxed, and happy probinsya life. You wake up to the chirping of birds and the cackling of chickens. You buy cheap local meat and produce from the town market. You sleep quietly every night. You enjoy quality time with your loved ones.

It is where my family lives. Isulan is my home.

The decision to move to Metro Manila was surprisingly easy. I got a job offer here that was hard to refuse. Even my parents were really excited about the idea of me living in Metro Manila; despite it being the farthest and probably the longest I would be away from them, they told me it was "just part of the experience."

Although I’d been to Metro Manila many times already, I wasn’t entirely sure of what I was getting into. Most of my work-related short visits here had given me nothing but anxiety. From the commute, to figuring out where to eat halal food, to the effort of speaking in Tagalog, every minute was stressful. So I had to constantly ask myself if I was ready to handle all of it. Was I really ready to handle that amount of stress every single day? 

"Not everyone gets to have that opportunity," my father would always say to convince me. "It will be a good experience. You’ll get used to it eventually."

Nothing about Metro Manila was reassuring – it was far from home, we didn't have a lot of relatives here, and I was unsure of a lot of things. But there I was holding on to my parents’ words and deciding to brave the big city.  

At first, the idea of moving was for the "experience." A year after, that "experience" taught me a lot about myself and what living in Metro Manila can do. (READ: [OPINION] A young Muslim's notes from Manila)

You will feel alone and scared 

Ever since I started working, I’d lived away from my family. But it was only when I lived in Metro Manila that I felt alone and sometimes even scared. It could be because I didn't have relatives I could easily run to, or the reality that going home was no longer just a 2-hour bus ride. 

A lot of things happened in 2019 and early this year that made me think of home and the feeling of safety when you are with family. I remember constantly calling my parents, especially when a typhoon struck some parts of Metro Manila, and when the city was constantly hit by earthquakes and aftershocks, and when we had to cancel work due to ash fall from the Taal eruption, and now that Metro Manila is on a lockdown due to the coronavirus health crisis. You have friends and workmates around, but the anxiety of not having your family beside you does creep in. (READ: LOOK: Scenes across Metro Manila as Luzon lockdown begins)

Everything seems a little harder 

Life in Metro Manila is far from the probinsya life that I’m familiar with. Everything you do here feels a little harder than what you’re used to. 

Being productive here is challenging. It will require you to have a certain level of discipline, time management skill, and sometimes creativity just to get things done. For those who have the means, being productive means spending more for your transportation, food delivery, and morning coffee. Productivity means being smart about your decisions from the moment you wake up. 

Traveling around Metro Manila is a challenge on its own. The commute is a horror story we are all familiar with, and alternatives to public transportation are limited. From someone working in Quezon City, a meeting in Makati or Pasay City will consume an average of 3 hours of his or her day from traveling alone. 

Time is a luxury when you live in Metro Manila. When you’re used to the relaxed pace of life in the province, living here feels like you don’t have enough of it. You always feel rushed, and sometimes even after a long day at work, you still feel like you haven’t done enough.

You pay for "convenience"

A higher cost of living is expected when you live in any urban area, but Metro Manila makes being thrifty a little tricky. 

I live in a rented condominium which costs me almost 15% of my salary every month. It’s twice the amount I paid for my previous apartment in Mindanao and excludes electricity and water bills. With 7 people residing in our house, our monthly electric bill in Isulan would rarely go higher than P1,000.00. Here in Metro Manila, a 40 sqm apartment with only 3 people will lead to a P3,000 monthly electric bill.

Yes, I could’ve rented cheaper accommodation, but considering the commute and other factors, it would just cost me the same. "It’s near my office and I don’t have to commute for work," I convinced myself. I was paying for the convenience, I guess. 

Other basic commodities like groceries are more expensive here as well. Nearby groceries sell their items P3-P5 higher than what I’m used to. It took me months to even notice this. Yes, you can go buy your cheaper groceries in public markets, but only if there’s one nearby. So I usually end up buying groceries at an air conditioned supermarket downstairs. Again, you convince yourself it’s okay to pay higher for convenience. 

Back home, everything is sold cheap and feels convenient. You don’t need an app to navigate and get to different places. You don’t feel stressed about going out to buy groceries or pay your bills. You don’t feel burdened when doing things on your own. You don’t need to pay extra for convenience. 

You feel guilty for being privileged

The one good thing living in Metro Manila has taught me is to constantly recognize my privilege. However, this, I believe, has also been the most disturbing lesson – that despite how challenging living here is, and regardless of how legitimate those challenges are, I have to acknowledge the fact that I’m already living in privileged conditions. 

It is hard not to feel guilty about complaining when you know that there are those who have it worse. It’s hard to complain about getting stuck in traffic while in a taxi or a Grab car when you know there are those enduring the discomforts of public transportation. It’s hard to feel exhausted after a long day at work when you still see people trying to make a living on the streets on your way home. (READ: [OPINION] 'Pasaway' commuters amid lockdown? These people don't have a choice)

It’s hard to feel sad, scared, and sorry for yourself without being guilty about it.

Living in Metro Manila allowed me to see and understand what being privileged means. The social disparity is so apparent in Metro Manila that it’s hard not to notice it. You see it everywhere and experience it almost all the time – on your way to work, when ordering lunch or dinner, when buying groceries, when you visit the mall, when you’re paying bills, and even when you’re stuck in your house because of a city lockdown. 

Having the time to comfortably work from home because of the health crisis and still expecting the salary at the end of the month while others are struggling, is a privilege on its own.

Everything reminds you of your privilege here. You don’t only see it, you experience it and sometimes you even become part of others’ struggles. 

My first year living in Metro Manila might have made me feel guilty of my privilege, but it was also a good reminder of why I decided to move and work here in the first place. I am reminded of the unfortunate realities that need to be addressed and how much more needs to be done. I am also reminded that with privilege comes the opportunity to do more and be more for others.

My first year living in Metro Manila reminded me of why my parents were very much excited for me. 

A day before the lockdown, my parents called to check on me.

"I’m okay," I replied, which was how I usually reply whenever they ask. 

And if I’m being honest, "okay" is an overstatement. But I also know that in Metro Manila, being okay is already a privilege. – Rappler.com

Nizam M. Pabil, 28, is a government employee working for the anti-poverty program of the Office of the Vice President of the Phillippines. He is a Mindanaon who hails from Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, now residing in Quezon City. 

MANILA, Philippines – How are the homeless being taken care of during the Luzon lockdown or what officials call the "enhanced community quarantine"?

The Philippine government placed Luzon under lockdown starting Tuesday, March 17, as a response to the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the country.

In a bid to contain the spread of the virus, the measure implemented strict quarantine procedures, suspension of transportation services, and regulation of food and essential health services, among others. Additional travel restrictions were rolled out while local governments across the capital region moved to implement an 8 pm to 5 am curfew in their respective areas.

The measure however lacked details on how the most vulnerable sectors – including the homeless – will be taken care of. 

This has only put the homeless in a tighter situation than they had already been in prior to the virus outbreak. (READ: Confusion in Manila keeps over 20 curfew violators in jail for 2 days) 

Despite the enforced quarantine, fortunately, some establishments have decided to keep their doors open for homeless people who need their assistance more than ever. 

St Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center

In a Facebook post, Fr Flavie Villanueva of St Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center said that keeping the center open during these trying times is just the right thing to do as the homeless need to be kept clean, strong, healthy, and informed about the threats the coronavirus brings.

Last week, the center was able to serve 226 homeless people, and wish to be able to reach out to even more.

In a beautiful turn of events, eight homeless young men decided to volunteer and dedicate themselves as Beneficiary Volunteers (B-Volts).

Villanueva expressed his gratitude in his post, saying, “In the midst of panic, they came to help. In the midst of hoarding for one’s survival, they gave themselves at the service of their fellow homeless.”

He has also guaranteed that the center shall continue to strictly employ safety guidelines such as social distancing and hygiene maintenance as they extend help to their benefactors.

However, while the Kalinga Center opened its doors to serve early Thursday morning, the local barangay officials where the center is located attempted to shut the relief activities down, stressing that Villanueva was not following lockdown protocol and that his project’s intentions were not genuine.

As a result, volunteers and beneficiaries were dispersed by the barangay captain despite the center observing proper social distancing of at least 1.5 m between people in the queue.

In an interview, Villanueva said, “I don’t know what is more painful, to see someone denied of food or to see someone in authority tell a homeless person to get out.”

At the moment, the center is still calling for donations of face masks, sources of vitamin C, food, and water to give to the homeless. St Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center located in Santa Cruz, Manila will continue providing care to the homeless every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Hey Homies

Hey Homies is currently offering its available Airbnb and condominium units for street dwellers along the España-Morayta area.

The company’s chief operating officer (COO) is currently offering a monthlong staycation with free food and utilities to the homeless people who need it the most in the midst of the pandemic.

However, most of these people declined his offer, as they were not aware of the ongoing outbreak at all.

Hey Homies is urging people who might pass by along Loyola St, España Blvd, and Nicanor Reyes St to bring food to help sustain the street dwellers of Morayta and to get in touch with their COO.

#PusoKitchen

Barangay Captain TJ Malvar, MD is looking to start a soup kitchen in Calawis, Antipolo City.

Many residents of their barangay have been forced to come home as a result of the temporary work suspension implemented as part of the lockdown. Malvar expressed his worry about this, especially since most of these people are contractual or informal laborers who are also breadwinners of their families.

This also means that within a week or two, people especially the vulnerable will start going hungry.

In preparation for this, project #PusoKitchen seeks to prepare at least 300 meals a day for those in need, particularly senior citizens, malnourished children, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers.

Malvar added that their barangay is also accepting donations of rice, instant coffee, and soap.

Popburri

A store that sells popsicles and burritos in Barangay East Kamias, Quezon City has decided to transform its place into a shelter for the homeless and those affected by the lockdown. 

Popburri will be open daily from 6 pm to 6 am until April 12 to serve dinner and handle medical needs with the support of the East Kamias Barangay teams.

“You are welcome to serve and bring food for our community during this time, or bring an old mattress, pillow, or bedsheet which we really need. We may be small, but we serve a big God, let’s be instruments for Him together!” Popburri said in a Facebook post. – Rappler.com 

Maria Victoria Tenido Te is a Core Mover from Dipolog City and is currently a freshman at Ateneo de Manila University.

MANILA, Philippines – Several youth councils and a local government have created ways to encourage the public to stay at home as parts of the country have been placed under lockdown or “enhanced” community quarantine" in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a recorded message aired last Monday, March 16, placed the entire Luzon island on lockdown until April 12. The measure took effect 12 midnight of Tuesday, March 17, implementing strict quarantine for all households, among other measures.

After the declaration, local officials were quick to respond with creative efforts, compelling the public, especially those who still try to roam outside, to remain at home. (READ: Is the Metro Manila coronavirus lockdown bound to fail?) 

“Marami pa ring kabataan namin ang lumalabas-labas ng bahay kahit delikado. So sabi namin, we have to think of innovative ways to stabilize our youth...Our main objective is to enforce Stay at Home policy. Kahit nasa loob ng bahay sila, they can be productive,” said Joal Cocjin, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson of Barangay Caragñag in San Andres, Catanduanes.

(There are a lot of youths who are still going outside their houses despite the dangers. We told ourselves that we have to think of innovative ways to stabilize our youth. Our main objective is to enforce Stay at Home policy. Even if they are inside their homes, they can be productive.)

In a data released by the Department of Health on Friday, March 20, Catanduanes province has 4,325 persons under monitoring.

The youth council launched on Wednesday, March 18, the “TikTok Challenge Kontra COVID-19,” enabling the public to remain interactive amid the lockdown.

In Quezon town in Quezon province, the SK Federation also used social media to convince individuals to stay at home, especially those who had arrived from Metro Manila.

Jolas Clemente, a member of the federation, said they were asked by their Rural Health Unit to help in implementing the strict quarantine for all households.

The social media challenge asked participants to take videos and photos of themselves inside their houses, thus helping the local government in making sure that the members of the community are not loitering outside.

Quezon province has one confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. As of Thursday, March 19, the province also has more than 40 Persons Under Investigation.

Time to bond with family

In Naval, Biliran, Mayor Gerard Espina offered P10,000 pesos for an online gimmick “that will compel them to stay at home and wait for updates.”

“We just don’t want the whole home quarantine experience to be depressing...We want to prove that you can still enjoy and be interactive while staying at home,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Espina informed his constituents that he will give instructions for 7 days, mostly taking videos and photos while doing home activities.

Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina imposed a 15-day limited border closure for people in the province from March 17 to March 31. In Naval, curfew hours have been enforced from 9 pm until 5 am.

According to the town mayor, the challenge does not only ease the government’s task in monitoring people, but also “gives more bonding time with the family.”

Lapses of national government

Despite the fulfillment he feels seeing the community participate, Cocjin also aired his sentiments over the national government's lapses in responding to the pandemic.

“I think our national government is acting too slow and too late to respond to this pandemic. Binuksan natin ang ating payong ngayong basang-basa na tayo…(I think our national government is acting too slow and too late to respond to this pandemic. We opened our umbrellas only when we were already drenched in rain),” he said.

The same sentimenets were aired by Alden Fajilan, the SK Chairperson of Barangay San Roque in Corcuera, Romblon who initiated an online gimmick to call for submissions of literary works and videos about COVID-19.

“Masaya na may halong disappointment...Ang mahirap lang talaga ay kakulangan ng mga kagamitan like thermal scanners(I am happy and disappointed at the same time. It’s hard because there is really a lack of medical equipment such as thermal scanners.),” said Fajilan.

Human rights group Karapatan earlier hit the government for placing almost all of its resources on military actions, instead of medical solutions: “The COVID-19 is a public health issue. Checkpoints should be primarily medical in nature. Why does it seem that personnel manning the checkpoints are fully armed with M-16 rifles instead of functioning thermal guns, personal protective equipment, and disinfection facilities?”

Cocjin said their initiative is their little way to fill the lapses in the national government. Meanwhile, he urged the youth to never lose hope.

“Ngayon ang oras upang kumilos….Malayo pa ang ating tatahakin upang mapagwagian ang problemang ito...Walang susuko (This is a time for action. We have a lot more struggles to face before winning this battle. Do not lose hope.),” he said. – Rappler.com 

I’m writing this as confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rise in the Philippines. I’m a doctor, but unlike other frontliners who are staffing hospital triage tents or coping with overwhelming ER consults of possibly infected individuals, I’m doing my share from the relative safety of a primary care clinic located in a mall. (READ: Braving a pandemic: Frontliners battle fear to confront the novel coronavirus)

This is an emotional time for many of us. We’re unsure of just how bad the situation will get, we fear for our loved ones who are vulnerable to the virus, and we doubt if we ourselves are being careful enough so as not to become carriers. 

In these uncertain times, one would think that patients will choose to stay home and defer going to a clinic to be seen by a doctor for non-emergency complaints. In the days leading to the Metro Manila lockdown, however, I’ve seen more patients in the clinic. Some come complaining of chronic problems: an intermittent back pain they’ve had for months, lingering insomnia, or a tenacious fungal infection. 

Some come for alleged symptoms that have already resolved, and beg for a medical certificate with advice for some days of rest so they can skip work. Those who do consult for mild respiratory symptoms come armed with a list of questions about the virus. They want to know if they have it, and ask if they can be tested. 

I tell them that the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection are nonspecific – that is, similar to that of many viral illnesses. That’s not very reassuring, so I proceed to patiently explain that a strict algorithm has to be followed before they can be tested, since testing kits are limited, and reserved for patients with severe symptoms, or those who are more likely to have been infected.

In an attempt to calm their fears, I tell them that I’m not too scared of the virus since it seems to have a high rate of transmission but low mortality. But I also tell them not to underestimate the danger of being infected; that they should stay home as much as possible and observe good hygiene. 

My role in these strange times, it seems, is to comfort the ill at ease. I’ve come to realize that the patients’ experience of their perceived illness and how it affects them matter more than the diagnostic tests I will request or the treatment I will prescribe. They need someone to listen to their apprehensions and attend to them fully without any hint of impatience or distraction.  Consultation time tends to run longer, but the patients appreciate the effort. (READ: ‘Your service is heroism’: Here’s a big thank you to our Filipino frontliners)

Of course the work isn’t just about being a beacon of calm in a sea of confusion. Sometimes, we get thrown into the confusion as well. In the past week alone, the algorithm for screening for potential PUIs and PUMs changed 5 times. The situation is evolving fast, and we have to keep up with and implement the latest mandates from the DOH. 

To be classified as a Person Under Investigation, one needs to have acute respiratory symptoms or diarrhea, plus a history of travel to a foreign country with local transmission. I understand the relevance of the foreign travel criterion, but it seems moot when there are already confirmed cases of local transmission in the Philippines. 

Honestly, it’s stressful to follow a screening protocol that isn’t quite consistent with current developments, but we stick to it so as not to categorize every other person as a PUI and consequently run the risk of saturating hospitals already straining under the weight of increased patient load. 

On the one hand, I’m proud of my fellow healthcare workers who continue to do their jobs even if it means putting themselves at risk of getting sick. On the other hand, to be truthful, the idea of being quarantined is also quite appealing to me. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Why Filipinos need to stay at home until June (or even longer))

How wonderful it would be to spend my days in the comfort of home, watching my teenage daughter do her TikTok dances, or playing with my amusing 2-year-old niece. How enjoyable it would be to have leisurely meals, listen to music, read a book, take naps, or cook for the family instead of spending interminable hours at work, attending to patients. But in the end, there will always be a good reason to go back to my post. 

I became a doctor to serve others, not myself; to do something meaningful for those who have less and derive fulfilment from my work. The way I respond to this crisis will surely test my competence as a physician, but more importantly, it will reflect the kind of human being I am. 

So even as I worry about not protecting myself well enough or who among my family and friends might get sick, I will continue to show up. Even as I worry that the Philippine healthcare system is ill-equipped to handle this state of affairs, I will strive to do my share of the work with as much courage, humility, and compassion as I could muster. – Rappler.com

Ma. Regina Luz Dañguilan-Misa is a graduate of Comparative Literature. She graduated from UERM Memorial Medical Center in 2017 and is currently training as a Family Medicine specialist. 

 

Preventing transmission of the COVID-19 disease requires that we consistently exercise proper health and hygiene protocols, both in our homes and in public spaces. Authorities have also advised that we all steer clear of large gatherings, avoid using public transportation, follow “community quarantine” measures, and seek prompt medical attention when there is exposure to the disease. While all these are sound reminders, there is one glaring problem – the poor will not be able to afford to follow these. 

Many jobs have no paid sick leaves. Irregular workers, including those who are paid on a per output, takay, or pakyaw basis, are particularly vulnerable. Working from home is not an option for all workers, as in the case of jeepney drivers and service workers. Crowding cannot be avoided in mass transport systems. In crisis situations, poor women and girls are affected the most because many of them form part of this workforce, but are still expected to do unpaid care and domestic work, which only tends to increase when caring for sick members of the family. (READ: [OPINION] Let’s not forget the poor during the coronavirus pandemic)

Poor people inordinately bear the brunt of economic shocks brought by this pandemic. Many informal, micro-, small-scale, and even up to medium-scale enterprises will take the hit as compared to the larger and more established businesses. Many may have to stop operations or close down because they would not be able to absorb the shocks to the economy. Hoarding of essential goods such as soap, alcohol, and basic food items only raises market prices and creates access barriers. Stocking up on food and medicines is impossible for those without regular incomes, savings, the unbanked, or those without access to financial services.

While it may be true that COVID-19 is not the proximate cause of these underlying problems, what is true is that it threatens the already fragile social safety nets of the Philippines. What pro-poor solutions could be considered to reduce inequalities in the time of COVID-19, particularly in ensuring access to water?

First, local governments could use calamity funds to subsidize water costs for the poorest sectors, particularly informal settler families (ISFs) crowding in the urban centers. Safe water is beyond the reach of poor communities because of access and cost barriers. For example, a recent study made by A Single Drop for Safe Water identified that in Pasig and Manila cities, an average person only has access to 12-13 liters of water per day. This is drastically below what the DILG recommends, which should range between 20-80 liters per person each day. For a minimum of 10 cubic meters, Manila Water and Maynilad charge around P88-130 per month, whereas the community pays between P500-900 per month to both formal and informal suppliers for less than 3.6 cubic meters. Oftentimes, this water needs to be fetched, and it ultimately puts limits on hygiene practices. The lack of access and the high costs of safe water puts the poorest and most vulnerable at risk since proper hygiene is a challenge. (READ: [OPINION] Water is a human right)

Second, partnerships with WASH-related private sector companies should be explored. There are companies willing and capable of subsidizing the regular supply of hygiene items for the poorest and most vulnerable, especially older persons, lactating and pregnant women, families with infants and small children. Incorporating a gender perspective into plans and strategies enables response operations to efficiently reach underserved and at-risk individuals. Local governments could also use calamity funds to distribute cash vouchers to low-income families to enable them to buy hygiene items locally.

Finally, it is important to work with poor communities to strengthen communications on hygiene and health promotion. Local governments, community groups, and the private sector can join forces and form a local network that could support poorest families in obtaining accurate and useful information on COVID-19, as well as provide free and immediate testing, quarantine and medical assistance for suspected cases. 

Safe water, adequate sanitation, and hygienic conditions are crucial to health and wellbeing, more so in this time of COVID-19. Let us make sure no one gets left behind. – Rappler.com

Mirriam Solleza is the WASH Advisor and Camille Adle is the WASH Portfolio Manager of Oxfam Pilipinas. Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 humanitarian and development organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries. Learn more here.

MANILA, Philippines – As numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to spike in the country, thousands of Filipinos are calling for urgent action, including mandatory mass testing nationwide, to address the outbreak.

In an online petition on Change.org, more than 78,000 Filipinos have signed the call led by a group named Mass Testing Now PH as of Sunday, March 22. The petition was created on March 16, a day before Luzon was placed on lockdown in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

The lockdown is among the series of stringent physical distancing measures that the Duterte administration has put in place to combat the virus.

But on the ground, local governments have been left to figure out how exactly these measures would be implemented, as guidelines on the lockdown continued to be relayed piecemeal. Among the crucial tasks given to local officials included finding ways to ensure residents were fed and essential workers were brought to their workplaces.

The petition – translated in English, Bisaya, and Filipino – called on President Rodigo Duterte to act on the coronavirus outbreak, listing several demands to help in implementation. (READ: Filipino scientists call on government to conduct mass testing for coronavirus) 

Among the demands listed in the petition are the implementation of free. mandatory mass testing nationwide and the mobilization of local government units to set up local testing centers.

As of Sunday, the Philippines has already reported 380 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 25 fatalities – which experts think might be a far cry from the true picture due to the lack of testing. 

However, the Department of Health continues to maintain that there is no need to conduct mass testing for coronavirus in the country, despite advice from the World Health Organization to scale up efforts in Southeast Asia to stop the spread of infection.

Due to a shortage of test kits since the outbreak began, the DOH has been prioritizing testing for severe and critical COVID-19 cases. Just recently, more than 100,000 new test kits from China, South Korea, and Brunei have arrived in the Philippines to help enable health workers to test more people for the virus.

The petition also called on the administration to distribute free face masks, hand soaps, alcohol, drinking water rations, and vitamins in every barangay, as well as implement massive disinfection in high-traffic locations regularly.

It also said the military and police can aid in the sending test kits and basic goods to areas.

Helping the vulnerable and the marginalized

Among those feeling the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak are the healthcare workers and frontliners, who are experiencing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and facilities.

The shortage of PPE during the outbreak has forced medical frontliners to improvise equipment using acetate as a safety precaution against the coronavirus. (READ: Filipinos find ways to improvise safety in the time of coronavirus)

With help from the government, the petition hopes necessary medical equipment such as face masks, gloves, and ventilators will be given to health workers. It said the administration can also urge private hospitals to share their stock of PPE, medical equipment, and facilities.

The petition said this might entail allocating available funds to aid the health sector and rechanneling intelligence and confidential funds of different government agencies to the DOH through a special session of Congress.

So far, the Philippines has 5 facilities in the country that can screen coronavirus samples. The country also has a testing capacity of 950 to 1,000 tests per day. (READ: Where are testing centers for coronavirus in the PH?)

Aside from provision of equipment, the petition urged the Duterte administration to convert public spaces such as gymnasiums and convention centers into temporary quarantine and health centers. These may also be used as evacuation centers for the homeless. (READ: Shelters kept unlocked for the homeless during coronavirus outbreak)

Helping workers and businesses

Hoping to help workers and small businesses, the petition also urged the President to require the private sector to give additional paid leaves for both contractual and regular workers, and possibly offer accommodation to health workers, as the country grapples with the outbreak. 

It added that guaranteeing cash grants for workers and small businesses, along with a payment freeze and disconnection moratorium for utilities will help Filipinos cope as some of their livelihoods have been put at a standstill.

Lastly, the petition called on the administration to set up a centralized information source, which will house daily briefings of health officials, important government announcements, statistical data, location information, and history of movement of confirmed patients in one place for transparency and public knowledge.

The petition continues to grow as it gains more traction and guns for at least 150,000 signatures. Those interested to pitch in their voice through the petition can sign here. – Rappler.com

A few nights ago, I was walking home at 10:30 pm. I live three blocks from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). When one is on Surgical Pathology rotation, it is not unusual to be cutting specimens until late night or until the wee hours of morning just to finish. Walks like these are unavoidable. That night, the street was dead silent, with looming shadows from the street lamps. 

At a short distance, three men approached me. “Boss, saan kayo papunta?” (Where are you headed?) 

I instinctively grabbed my ID which hung on my neck and blurted, “Doktor po ako sa PGH!” (I am doctor at the PGH) 

I stepped into the light to show them my ID, and they let me pass. I knew they were probably just barangay tanod (village watch) officers, but I was kind of shaken by the experience. A month ago, the streets of Pedro Gil would have been teeming with jeepneys roaring past me, with street vendors selling balut and barbecue on the sidewalk. 

None of that now. We were on lockdown, and strict curfew was implemented. 

Community quarantine 

About a month ago, when we first heard of a novel coronavirus ravaging the city of Wuhan in Hubei, China we thought little of it. Just a distant problem of a virus infecting the residents of the city. We watched the news of their lockdown on television, seeing the panic and the desperation. It seemed so distant.

But they had underestimated the menace. People fleeing Wuhan brought with them the virus to other parts of Asia, Europe,and America and we watched stunned as the first cases were reported in Manila. 

Last March 12, the national government announced a community quarantine over Metro Manila. People panicked, some hoarded groceries and goods, some grabbed their suitcases in a mad rush to the provinces. At the central laboratory, we were told we were going on skeleton duty. The residents were divided into three groups, each to go on one week straight duty, and two weeks quarantine. 

I was part of the first team and it was chaotic. Meetings were held with the section heads on Monday, March 16, to discuss the skeleton schedule of all the laboratory personnel. We were severely going to be undermanned, but it was the only way to ensure that all services will be available with the staff having minimal exposure to the hazards at the hospital.

The two-week quarantine after exposure was necessary, it was the only way to guarantee that everyone can safely rotate. A chilling scenario if the skeleton duty was not implemented was that an exposure from someone sick can transmit the virus and render the staff ill and severely impact laboratory operations.

For our part, only a third of the residents will do the job of grossing, signing out, resolving backlog cases, and attend to referrals. 

Skeleton duties  

Later in the week, the national government announced an enhanced community quarantine– meaning public transportation will be halted, work suspended, curfews in place. Only groceries, pharmacies, and banks were open.

Problems arose in the already thinned out staffing, because of transportation and accommodations. Some medical technologists had to cram into a small space at the back of the laboratory information to sleep. Part of the blood bank was also used by the staff to rest in. Transportation was a problem even to those with private vehicles because checkpoints were strict.  (READ: Left in the dark: Little protection for government's coronavirus frontliners) 

It was a logistical nightmare that required coordination and a lot of paperwork. During most of our daytime duties we struggled to look for housing for the staff, arrange schedules, and get food for those on duty. Food was a challenge because most fast food chains and restaurants were closed. After a short deluge of donated food, it slowly trickled down to none. 

On top of this, we still had to continue grossing specimens which were surprisingly voluminous and of quality- with maxillectomies, whipples procedure, total prostatectomies, and even gynecologic malignancy specimens. We were told that despite halting admissions, they had apparently filled the surgical wards with patients prior to the lockdown.

Food that our consultants and some donors provided helped tide us over in this seemingly long first week of community quarantine. Delicious food helped keep the spirits up during the week. (READ: How to help healthcare workers, frontliners during coronavirus pandemic)

Then to our surprise, we were told Pathology residents will now help man the COVID triage area. That removed two more posts from the residents on duty. Now we had to cover each other during AM and PM duties, grossing and signing out.

Hope or uncertainty 

Recently we were told that PGH will be a referral center for COVID-19 cases. That posed a huge potential problem in a time where personal protective equipment like masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields are hard to come by. It would be like going to war without an armor. If health workers are exposed without adequate protection, they are going to be vulnerable to the virus, including their families, in turn.

Such strange times. I remembered my fourth year of medical school or clerkship and the strongest storm ever recorded in human history leveled Tacloban City and I was in ground zero. Except, this time, as I looked around the street that night, the infrastructure was intact, the electric lights still blazed. Regardless, I felt the same ominous feeling. 

People hoarding goods, and even our co-employees at the hospital grabbing donated food, is an ever present reminder of the human instinct to survive during times of disaster. It was similar to the looting incidents in the aftermath of Yolanda. It was not reassuring. 

I hope that the government does the right thing and support the frontliners in this health crisis of global proportions. Potentially, the next coming weeks could be rough for our country. (READ: Filipino scientists call on government to conduct mass testing for coronavirus)

But there is hope.

Every time I see dedicated doctors, nurses, medical technologists, other allied health professionals and even guards, soldiers, couriers, and street sweepers I encounter while walking the streets early morning, I am reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the undying will and dedication to fight this battle. (READ: ‘Your service is heroism’: Here’s a big thank you to our Filipino frontliners) 

May God be always on our side. – Rappler.com 

Thaddeus C. Hinunangan is a Pathology Resident Physician at Philippine General Hospital and a columnist at Health and Lifestyle Magazine.

About a month ago, we were advised by university officials that all student activities would be suspended. Moot court competitions, sports competitions, college weeks, and other activities for 30 or more participants had to be suspended.

Weeks after this suspension, we received news that there would be a week-long suspension of all classes in Metro Manila. Days after, the week-long suspension turned into a month-long suspension. Should coronavirus cases continue to increase, are we to expect a longer period of suspension? Probably a year long? Or an indefinite one?

Everything is a blur, but this is the unfortunate reality. (READ: [OPINION] Why I think the lockdown won't work)

Internet troubles

As a way to cope with the pandemic, schools have established e-learning communities. Different online platforms were resorted to just so classes could still push through. 

When we were told that classes would be conducted online, there was a mixture of reactions. I got both excited and worried. Excited because this is something new to me, and worried because I am not convinced our internet connection can properly handle class video calls.

I made a list of places I could go to in case our wifi at home stopped working. I planned on going to a 24-hour coffee shop located outside our municipality, or to my grandmother’s house which is one barangay away. I could also try to exceed the internet usage limit allowed by my phone service provider. 

This is a shared problem. Some of my friends and classmates are in a similar situation, and other students’ situations are even worse. Not all students have gadgets that easily connect to wifi. And with the Luzon-wide lockdown and all other preventive measures, how can they access alternative solutions like computer shops? How can students get access to their own education? (READ: Students urge suspension of online classes during coronavirus lockdown)

Yes, professors have to be commended for still wanting to impart knowledge to their students, but virtual classrooms just remind us of our pressing social inequality. By implementing online classes, some will not be able to participate.

However, our problems as students do not end there. 

Physical distance

Not everyone can afford to leave their apartments or dorms just to be with their families during this pandemic.

Some have opted not to leave for home because they're scared of being carriers of the virus and do not want to infect their loved ones. Others don't want to deal with the struggles of commuting. These reasons are both valid and worrisome.

The physical distance between these students and their families puts both parties in distress. 

For a month (or probably even longer), what can these students do? They can watch movies or series, read books, write articles, compose songs, play indoor sports, and other similar activities, if their resources permit. But it is inevitable for these students to feel alone and sad in the midst of this pandemic. Sadness can affect one's perspective and even one’s ability to think. (READ: 'It's like someone's hit pause on life': China turns to therapy amid virus lockdown)

It's difficult not to be with anyone, especially a loved one, in times like these. Because of the lockdown, these students might only get to see their loved ones via their gadgets – if they have one and if their internet connection permits. 

This long-distance set-up is new to some, and who knows how long it will last?

This pandemic has opened our eyes to the realities our people and our country (and other developing countries) face. Problems with our education, our technology, the widening gap between the rich and the poor – they have always been there. They are not new to us. This pandemic only reminds us of how unfortunate life is for most of us. 

While this social reality is clear, what comes ahead is not. Should this pandemic be addressed, how do we proceed? And even if it isn't addressed in the end, how, still, do we proceed? – Rappler.com

Maria Frances Faye R. Gutierrez is taking up her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Santo Tomas. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the same university. 

MANILA, Philippines – No, Filipinos are not exactly thanking the deadly virus. 

On Monday, March 23, Filipinos on Twitter slammed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) over a post which "thanked the coronavirus," pushing the phrase to the top of the trending topics on Twitter.

In a post, the agency thanked the coronavirus "for shaking us and showing us we're dependent on something much bigger than we think."

pic.twitter.com/i8BMAk0DxB

— DOTrPH (@DOTrPH) March 23, 2020

The agency has since taken down the post and apologized, explaining that the poem they shared was "meant to provide an enlightening and awakening narrative into this pandemic." 

"We acknowledge that not all of our audience appreciate the underlying message of the poem and video and we understand taht some view it as an insensitive act," the agency added. 

Background

Regardless, the damage was done and the screenshot of the posts have circulated online. 

In the post, DOTR shared an original poem by Riya Sokol, a Polish poet. 

Poland, whose healthcare system is publicly funded, has a total of 634 positive coronavirus cases, with 627 active cases and 7 deaths as of Sunday, March 22,2020.

This roughly translates to 1.1% mortality rate, which is lower than the 3.4% global average for mortality rate declared by WHO director general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The Philippines, which has a healthcare system ranking 102nd in the entire world according to 2019 Global Competitiveness report by the World Economic Forum, has 462 cases with a total death toll at 33 as of posting.

That translates to roughly a 8.3% mortality rate which is more than twice the global average.

Why post something like this? 

Why is a government agency posting something which many netizens call absurd and insensitive? 

On Twitter, Filipinos shared their outrage and expressed their disdain for the post. 

this "thank you corona virus" of DOTr post, taking in consideration, it's clear that they want to accentuate our Filipino value of looking at things with silver lining. HOWEVER, dude, with the increasing rate of mortality and victims of the virus, it's an inappropriate optimism.

— my name is DICE. (@hey_dice) March 23, 2020

"THANK YOU CORONAVIRUS" statement from @DOTrPH may have some pint of reality, however it is immature to thank a virus that kills thousands of people in just four months.

— Martina Arnado (@tinadzae) March 23, 2020

WHAT THE FUCK @DOTrPHpic.twitter.com/AeW8NIzUX6

— AC #MassTestingNowPH (@ItsACsLife) March 23, 2020

t-thank y...???? innocent people are dying, the marginalized are suffering, and yet all we can hear from DOTr is a fucking thank you?????? "THANK YOU CORONAVIRUS"?????? ambaho! amoy pribilehiyo! https://t.co/oqBic2RYdQ

— ً #MassTestingNowPH (@arcolapop) March 23, 2020

Who deserves our gratitude?

According to netizens, we should appreciate instead the volunteers in our communities for embodying bayanihan at this very important time. They also said that we should express our foremost gratitude to the frontliners and medical workers risking their lives to help the sick.

DOTr: THANK YOU CORONAVIRUS

Frontliners: pic.twitter.com/vhbsx0gCEk

— claude⁷ vallejera (@wildYoongles) March 23, 2020

Dami namatay tapos THANK YOU CORONAVIRUS??? MAKAPAMULITIKA LANG GANUN DEDMA NA SA MGA NAGSAKRIPISYONG BUHAY NG MGA NURSE AT MGA DOCTOR!

— HanaBae (@iamYunissse) March 23, 2020

They added that instead of being grateful to the coronavirus, Filipinos should instead be thankful that some of us still have our humanity amid this insanity. 

CORONAVIRUS taught us a lot of lessons but it doesn't mean we should use the phrase "thank you coronavirus" because this entire pandemic will never be a blessing. Always remember that.

— kuya france (@kuyafranceee) March 23, 2020

The last thing you can do is to romanticise Coronavirus this way. Thank you Coronavirus my ass. There's nothing to be grateful for if we learn some few things out of it at the expense of innocent lives. #brainmalfunction#stupidlogic#stopRomanticisingCoronavirus#nothankyouhttps://t.co/nCT9Q42yL6

— meltedrainbow (@meltedrainbow) March 23, 2020

THANK YOU CORONAVIRUS. Nakilala namin ang tunay na may malasakit sa bayan

— Theo Cuasay (@teocrab26) March 23, 2020

Thank you, coronavirus, for showing us (Filipinos) who the real public servants are at times like this.

— MarckGelo Villanueva (@marckgelov) March 23, 2020

– Rappler.com 

Russel Anthony Loreto is a Rappler Mover from Quezon City. He is an undergraduate of business from University of San Carlos and is currently pursuing his Communication Arts degree in Trinity University of Asia. He is the current Public Relations Officer for Trinity University of Asia Media and Communication Organization.

On March 15, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced that it would suspend a number of its social welfare programs to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This has cut off a critical source of support for the millions of people receiving cash transfers from the DSWD, who are now confined to their homes under the Luzon-wide quarantine.

Instead of halting these programs amid the growing health crisis, DSWD should be expanding its social safety nets by distributing cash transfers (with no strings attached) to poor and newly-vulnerable populations. More than 30 other countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, and Thailand, have rolled out similar cash transfers, also known as basic income programs, to ease the economic impacts of COVID-19. Others like the US and India are considering similar policies. These should be rolled out in the Philippines immediately; proposals are already being discussed in the House of Representatives, and should move forward as quickly as possible.

On March 16, IDinsight, a data analytics, advisory, and research organization shared a list of evidence-based policy recommendations for the Department of Health and other government agencies to consider as part of their response efforts. Drawing on effective response efforts from similar crises around the world, one of our key recommendations was to distribute no-strings-attached payments – otherwise known as “unconditional cash transfers” – to help the poorest people cope and keep money flowing through the economy.

Why give cash?

Cash transfers with no strings attached have been proven to help vulnerable families continue to purchase food and supplies during crises. Already we are seeing people unable to work in the Philippines because of the lockdown. Cash transfers will allow these families, already on the brink of survival, to avoid excruciating choices between food, health care, and shelter. In other crises they have increased the amount of food a family consumes, while also giving them the flexibility to respond to other pressing financial needs. 

Cash transfers also make economic sense: they can help support the economy at a valuable time, because they allow recipients to buy groceries and supplies from small businesses in their communities.

Why cash, and not food? 

Food distribution was helpful to deal with the immediate shock, but ongoing food and other in-kind donations are not particularly cost-effective. They would require ongoing food preparation and in-person drop-offs, which could create opportunities for COVID-19 transmission. They also lead to lower prices, which hurt small business owners when they need more help than ever. In contrast, cash transfers are cost effective and also have the effect of creating demand that local businesses can respond to (while only minimally increasing prices). That doesn’t mean there isn’t a role for direct food distribution, but cash is a better solution to providing ongoing support to these families. 

Some argue against cash, suspecting that people will spend it on alcohol or tobacco or other non-necessities, but numerous studies from around the world have found that is not the case. 

To whom and how?

With limited resources and movement restrictions, the government will need to reach households that need the cash now to survive. But how do you identify and find these people? To launch these payments quickly for those in Luzon, DSWD should immediately distribute cash through the 4Ps infrastructure, which has already identified poor families. There is a precedent for this: DSWD did the same to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013-2014, with top-ups from UNICEF and the World Food Program. Nearly 90% of these beneficiaries received their payments through cash cards, meaning disbursement will not require human contact or increase risk of coronavirus transmission. 

Beyond current 4Ps beneficiaries, DSWD should reach other vulnerable families, using the Listahanan. They can expand the scope to recipients of the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) program. There might be many more affected, such as workers in the informal sector who have lost their source of livelihood. For these, DSWD should look for relatively safe ways to register households. We know this is risky; if they would have to register in person, this puts them at risk of spreading or contracting COVID-19. But if people are starving, COVID-19 is likely not their biggest fear. 

As much as possible, these transfers should be done digitally, but there are a few ways that DSWD can mitigate the risk of spreading the virus while still distributing cash. First, they can invite eligible households by phone (rather than in person), and give strict instructions for staggered arrival at DSWD offices to minimize crowding. Second, they can use each household’s visit to disburse a cash payment and to simultaneously enroll the head of household in a digital payment platform whenever possible. This could be a bank account, or e-wallets like GCash and PayMaya. Third, they can enforce strict physical distancing protocols for those visiting offices to register for digital payments. Finally, DSWD staff should be given personal protective equipment and paid sick leave in case they show signs of COVID-19 symptoms. 

While the execution will be challenging, the goal is simple and essential: get cash into the hands of those who need it most as quickly as possible. Let’s make sure people most in need can keep themselves and their families alive. – Rappler.com

Meg Battle and Aya Silva lead IDinsight's work in Southeast Asia from Manila. IDinsight is a research organization that helps social impact programs generate and use data and evidence to inform decision-making. 

MANILA, Philippines– Hoping to be productive while under quarantine, mother Hycinth Clor de Arta set up a mini sari-sari store at home for her children in Davao del Norte, complete with rules, prices, play money, and even "salaries."

The whole province of Davao del Norte has been under community quarantine since March 16, in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Because of the quarantine, classes in all levels have been suspended.

De Arta shared how her 4 children have spent most of their free time watching TV, movies, and YouTube while holed up at home.

Seeing that their fridge was fully stocked, De Arta decided to set up "Mama's home quarantine store" in their living room on the first week of the lockdown. She displayed their junk food, biscuits, candies, and fruits in a stand by their living room to serve as the makeshift sari-sari store.

"We came up with an idea that would change their daily routine. I believe that putting up a mini store inside our house for our kiddos using play money would be the best activity to do," De Arta said.

To purchase food from the sari-sari store, the kids will have to do their chores to earn enough play money. Each chore such as sweeping the floor in the kitchen or throwing the trash has its own corresponding amount ranging from P200 to P500.

"They get an opportunity to do some household responsibilities and earn from it accordingly. They will learn how to save their earned money and spend it wisely. [It's] one way to teach them financial literacy. And the best thing of all is we get to bond as a family. We are all enjoying it," she added.

Through the sari-sari store, De Arta also teaches her children the importance of personal hygiene, cleanliness, and physical distancing to guard against the coronavirus.

Among her rules is a ban on people without face masks, as well as using alcohol first before buying. Physical distancing is also a must when lining up. Those caught fighting or crying will be banned from the store for 3 hours, too.

Even with the chores, De Arta said her children were excited about having a sari-sari store in their home.

"They were happy and very much excited to earn money," she added.

For those interested to set up their own sari-sari stores for their kids, De Arta suggested placing food and other items that kids are interested in, so they'll be eager to participate.

"Educate them how to get those things so they will work for it. I know all parents couldn't bear their children crying if they really want to get what they want. As a parent, all you have to do is motivate them and guide them how to get things done," she said.

Online, several netizens lauded the initiative and noted how it instills the value of hard work at a young age.

Magaling ang mga magulang ng mga batang ito. Kahit nasa bahay lang, natututo ang mga bata. https://t.co/6rGZt88zOX

— Rose (@JustRoseA) March 23, 2020

Now this is amazing parenting! https://t.co/ADKq8E7hUz

— jas (@jasamess) March 23, 2020

This is nice... Teaching kids to be more hygienic and productive

— Yammybite, A-Team (@yammybite124) March 23, 2020

How are you spending your time at home? – with reports from Rhoda May Ebad/Rappler.com 

Being away from home at a time like this brings a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. For me, personally, it almost feels like having to go through the crisis two-fold, because I’m gathering and processing information about the situation in the Philippines and the UK simultaneously. With different strategies in place to contain the situation, directives from governments and health organizations changing at every turn, it’s hard to feel a sense of stability and peace of mind. (READ: Keep calm and cope: How to stay mentally healthy during coronavirus crisis)

The announcement of the community quarantine in NCR came over a week (almost two) ahead of any similar directive here in the UK. Since this wasn’t something we’d experienced before, naturally, the first line of thought that my family considered was to have me fly back to the Philippines temporarily. My medical history includes bronchial asthma and pulmonary health issues in the past, so my parents worried that I would be at risk. With a full-time job, no quarantine advice, or travel restrictions in place by the UK government at that time, much as I wanted, staying here in London felt like the logical choice. I was afraid that a long-haul flight would not only put my health at risk but possibly even risk exposure to my loved ones in the Philippines.

While the lockdown was imposed in the Philippines, health agencies and the media warned that Europe was now the epicenter of the pandemic. Though neighboring countries like Italy had enforced lockdown too, in the UK, life seemed pretty much business as usual. I tried to implement changes in my personal routine though, like practicing physical distancing, carrying a 500 ml bottle of Green Cross alcohol (yes, even here, love local pa rin!) to and from work every day, washing my hands more often with soap and water, and bringing disinfectant wipes everywhere I went. I guess for a while it humored people, especially when I would wipe down exercise equipment before and after use at my local gym. 

It was only a matter of time until the gravity of the situation had caught up with the rest of the Britons. In London, we saw a daily increase in confirmed cases shoot up from 100, 200, to nearly 700 cases within a 24-hour period. As the numbers escalated, so too did my anxiety. Not only for fear of the coronavirus itself, but more importantly because of the onslaught of racism and discrimination hurled against the Asian community. Having been based in the UK for a while, I never really felt like I had to look over my shoulder. But living through it myself and hearing stories from people close to me, allow me to say this. Asians are not to blame for the spread of coronavirus. (READ: Stay home for 3 months, UK tells 1.5 million most at risk)

I’m fortunate that even without the government’s imposition of a lockdown, my workplace was very supportive and flexible with working remotely. Because of this situation, a week ago, I decided to go on a self-imposed lockdown here in London, to avoid any risks of exposure, and to do my part in helping #FlattenTheCurve. Even then, I had an unsettling urge to do something more for my community back home in the Philippines. (READ: [OPINION] Staying sane and centered in the time of the coronavirus)

In the first week of my self-imposed lockdown, I managed to find a way to channel all the stress and anxiety into something more positive and productive. Despite all the uncertainty that we are facing today, know that there is still so much that you can do. Your voice matters. Wherever in the world you may be. – Rappler.com

Isabel is a London-based Marketing and PR professional who is passionate about elevating storytelling through creative experiences. She was born and raised in the Philippines and is an island girl at heart. 

MANILA, Philippines – A youth group in Cordillera is working to ensure frontliners battling the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the area are well-protected.

Even before Luzon was placed under lockdown on March 17, members of the Cordillera Youth Brigade of Youth for Peace and Development Movement (YFPDM) noticed how some frontliners in Tabuk City, Kalinga, were heading out into the field without personal protective equipment (PPE). (READ: Left in the dark: Little protection for government's coronavirus frontliners)

Comprised of young people aged 15-30 who are graduates of Youth Leadership Summits conducted by their local government units, Cordillera Youth Brigade led an initiative to help provide PPEs to military, police, health workers and barangay council officers on duty in the area. 

Their inspiration for the project was the military, police, and health workers on the frontlines who were working to prevent the spread of the virus without enough protection. Their call is to help our protectors to have the protection they need to work effectively. (READ: Frontliners battle fear to confront novel coronavirus)

Using their own money to buy the materials, volunteers of the Cordillera Youth Brigade improvised face shields using acetate and face masks from fabric cloth. They’re also distributing hand disinfectants to frontline workers battling coronavirus in their barangays. (READ: Filipinos find ways to improvise safety in the time of coronavirus)

The organization prepared 280 face shields, 50 face masks, and hundreds of liters of hand disinfectant, distributing it to all checkpoints and all 42 barangays in Tabuk City. The nearest barangay from the city is just a one-minute drive away, while the farthest is Brgy. Dupag – a one-hour trip from the center of town.

The group hopes that through their simple efforts in providing PPEs, however improvised, frontliners will have ample protection, ensuring they can go home to their families safely.

The group said that they chose to prioritize Tabuk City because it is also considered as a center of livelihood, both in the province and in the region. Tabuk City is one of only two cities in Cordillera aside from Baguio City.

Due to a lack of acetate, the group had to improvise again, using 6-liter plastic bottles of mineral water for the face shields.

Their next plan is to provide for all the municipalities of the province if they can have enough materials. And after ensuring that all frontliners are given protection, they also plan to provide some for their fellow students.

They also recently started distributing to neighbor municipalities in Pinukpuk, Tanudan, Lubuagan and Rizal.

After being contacted by the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Kalinga District Hospital and several rural health units and private clinics, their volunteers are again making free PPEs to be distributed to these medical centers.

Aside from getting positive feedback, they also received donations in the form of raw materials from doctors, store managers and private personalities in Kalinga. A sewing machine was also lent to them so they can make more improvised face masks.

Several youth groups from Mountain Province and Bukidnon also contacted them and asked for their assistance in replicating their project.

Among the groups that adopted their initiative is POINTY Bukidnon (Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth Bukidnon).

The group has been distributing free hygiene kits which include anti-bacterial soap, tissue, and leaflets on COVID-19 symptoms and proper handwashing to commuters and locals at the Maramag-Quezon border in Bukidnon.

They hope the distribution of almost 160 hygiene kits will help commuters and locals remember how proper hand-washing can help minimize the spread of the virus.

Loverne Abbacan, YFPDM Cordillera Youth Brigade Regional President, highlighted the importance of the youth in nation-building, especially during difficult times. Through their initiative, they hoped to show the contribution of the youth in Kalinga, and were touched how even professionals recognized the importance of the youth-led project. (READ: Filipino bayanihan spirit shines through amid coronavirus outbreak)

"We decided to help to show the role of youth in nation-building lalo na sa mga ganitong nangyayaring sakuna, para maipakita po na bilang kabataan, may ma-i-aambag po kaming maganda at kapaki-pakinabang sa lipunan," said Abbacan.

(We decided to help to show the role of youth in nation-building, especially during crises, to show that the youth can contribute to society.)

With the ongoing crisis due to rise of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, the region is putting in place measures to contain the spread of the virus. It currently houses a Huawei Al CT Scan System in Baguio City, which is being test run for faster infection detection of coronavirus among patients.

While the results are not conclusive and confirmatory, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he hopes the technology will help give a heads-up if the patient is a probable COVID-19 case.

As of March 23, 4pm, Tabuk City has no confirmed cases of coronavirus. However, they have 17 persons under investigation (PUI) and 868 persons under monitoring for COVID-19, according to Tabuk City Health Office.

Meanwhile, the first COVID-19 case in Cordillera was a 39-year-old seafarer from Abra who tested positive on March 14. Nine days later, a 61-year-old woman who had traveled to Italy became the first confirmed case in Baguio City, according to DOH Cordillera Regional Director Dr Amelita Pangilinan.

The aim of Cordillera Youth Brigade is to render limited services for a peaceful, united and well-developed community, specifically to their area of responsibility.

Cordillera Youth Brigade is still accepting donations, especially raw materials. They can be contacted through their mobile number at 09218827083, and email address at cordillerayouthbrigade.yorp@gmail.com. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Utilizing 3D printers in its 8 campuses, faculty members and staff of Philippine Science High School (PSHS) collaborate to provide face shields for medical workers and security officers to protect them from COVID-19. 

The PSHS Main Campus, Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga, SOCCSKSARGEN Region, and Southern Mindanao campuses are simultaneously producing face shields. (READ: IN PHOTOS: Volunteers, medical frontliners improvise PPEs amid shortage) 

Engr. Kevin Daga-as, in-charge of Makerspace, a learning and innovation area where students can come together to design and learn to develop creative projects, started the initiative at the SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus, which eventually became a PSHS System-wide project.

Challenges

However, because of the community quarantine, they are having difficulties getting acetate films and 3D printer filament, Daga-as said.

PSHS System Executive Director Lilia Habacon already called for assistance through her Facebook post to help the PSHS campuses look for suppliers of acetate so that more face shields can be produced.

Benito A. Baje, Physics Unit Coordinator and Makerspace-in-charge at PSHS-Central Visayas Campus said that they have a few issues with fabrication because of scarcity of materials. Their campus is far from Cebu City which strictly regulates travel due to the lockdown. 

“In terms of workforce, good thing that some of our faculty members and staff responded to our call for assistance. So far, we have received requests for face shields from different sectors, which is why we are looking for materials and supplies to produce more face shields,” Baje added.

Interested donors may contact the following: 

PSHS System

• Lilia Habacon 
• lthabacon@pshs.edu.ph

PSHS-SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus

• Chuchi Garganera 
• cpgarganera@src.pshs.edu.ph

PSHS-Bicol Region Campus

•  Lorvi Pagorogon 
• lbpagorogon@pshs.edu.ph

PSHS-Eastern Visayas Campus

• Erick John Marmol 
• ejhmarmol@pshs.edu.ph

Ilocos Region Campus

•  Ronnalee Orteza 
• ortezarn@irc.pshs.edu

Central Visayas Campus

•  Rachel Luz Rica
• rvrica@pshs.edu.ph

 CARAGA Region Campus

• Ramil Sanchez
• rsanchez@crc.pshs.edu.ph

Safety of frontliners

“This started when I saw in the news that doctors and nurses are being also hit by COVID-19 because they lack Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). I began searching online about the market standard design of face shields. Then, I came across a Facebook page on 3D print-for-a-cause," said Daga-as, an Arts and Design Technology teacher.

According to Daga-as, the SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus started producing face shields last March 19, after getting the go signal from Campus Director Chuchi Garganera to prioritize medical personnel.

“Considering that none of the doctors in Argao Hospital in Cebu have PPEs, we started designing and mass printing upon the approval of Campus Director Rachel Luz Rica,” Baje said. 

The PSHS face shields will be donated to front line health workers in hospitals, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), city health units, ambulance teams for COVID-19 patient response, and security personnel at checkpoints.

Creation process

The improvised face shield can be assembled using a 3D-printed frame to act as handle and support, and an acetate sheet to act as shield. 

“It took 1.5 hours to finish one frame using the original design. I decided to redesign the frame until I came up with a final design that only took 36 minutes to print. It will save me time printing and save filament, the thermoplastic feedstock for fused deposition modeling 3D printers use,” Daga-as added.

To make the face shield frame, we need to slice the design into several horizontal layers, and this is done with a 3D-slicing software like Cura. After the design is ready, the file is uploaded to the 3D printer, where molten plastic is extruded through a tiny nozzle that moves around precisely under computer control. It prints one layer at a time to the top layer of the design,” Daga-as added.

“The estimated printing cost per face shield is P15.00 each, including the acetate and 3D-printed frame, plus the electricity, Daga-as added.

According to Bicol Region Campus Director Lorvi Pagorogon, her team is targeting to release 600 face shields for the first batch and to provide shield replacements.

“We have been in contact with doctors of Bicol Medical Center in Naga City and Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City. Then, other provincial hospitals in Bicol shall follow, and they will check our design and give feedback on how they can better use the face shields,” Pagorogon said. – Rappler.com 

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Kagay-anons showed their bayanihan spirit as local businesses and residents themselves led moves to help health workers and vulnerable sectors in this city amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The private sector initiatives complement the city government's measures to stem the coronavirus disease.

Mayor Oscar Moreno placed the city under community quarantine starting March 20, following the death of two persons under investigation (PUI) at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC). (READ: Northern Mindanao‘s largest public hospital saves lives against the odds)

He had also ordered the closure of malls and other major recreational and entertainment places, and suspended night markets, and imposed a curfew.

Here are private sector initiatives to help the city in its fight against the coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

Andreya

Chef Mich Uapal's restaurant located in 17th-6th Street in Barangay Nazareth is handing out free breakfast meals to night shift (10 pm to 6 am) doctors and nurses working at the NMCC.

As a former operating room nurse at NMMC, Uapal decided to lead the initiative to help the people she now calls her family.

“I have been an OR nurse for 6 years. And so even if I am already in the food industry, my NMMC family will always remain in my heart. And what do families do? We help each other – especially in trying times like this,” Uapal said.

People may present their NMMC ID and a copy of their night shift schedule to avail of the meal. The redemption must take place on the same day, right after the employees’ night shift. 

“More than the yummy breakfast, it is really the thought of people thinking about them that made them grateful,” Uapal said. 

The free meal will be available until March 31.

Casa Marga

Casa Marga a hotel in 15th-26th Street in Barangay Nazareth, together with some volunteers, initiated a relief drive that accepts in-kind or cash donations to help vulnerable sectors during the community quarantine through the distribution of kits comprised of essential items.

In separate Facebook posts, Kaye Quiblat and Jireh Cuarto, among the key contacts of the outreach project, said they distributed the hygiene, sanitation, and food kits around the city last March 19.

“We will prioritize distribution to the homeless and elderly who do not have the resources and support to aid them,” they said.

To strengthen information awareness on the new virus and its effects, Chicco Libarnes, another volunteer, offered to lay out essential information coming from the Department of Health on COVID-19 for infographic flyers.

The flyers feature a background on the new coronavirus, causes, symptoms, and steps for prevention. The flyers were distributed together with the goods that they collected.

The infographic flyer also contains a list of hotlines for COVID-19 response in all barangays of Cagayan de Oro. Details and information on prevention are all gathered from @WHO, carefully translated in Bisaya.

Huge thanks to @FAKEFIORUCCI for the layout. pic.twitter.com/Oh5ULUydp6

— jireh (@jirehcuarto) March 18, 2020

Local hotlines of all barangays in the city tasked to respond to COVID-19 concerns were added to the infographics. All texts were carefully translated to Bisaya for Kagay-anons to fully comprehend the details in their native language.

XU Development Communication Society and Department

The Development Communication Department of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan is  leading an information drive to help locals better understand the coronavirus pandemic.

It's been posting several infographics featuring tips and reminders from various government, news, and health agencies in the Kagay-anons' native language. These translations and visually attractive graphics were done by the students themselves.

Some students have written extensively about the coronavirus pandemic through their intro to multimedia writing class.

XU Development Communication Society is also bolstering efforts to make coronavirus-related topics easier to understand.

They made a graphic differentiating a person under monitoring (PUM) from a person under investigation (PUI) written in Bisaya  to inform the public on certain terminologies used when diagnosing someone suspected of having COVID-19.

Through its official Facebook page, Liceo de Cagayan University (Liceo U) announced its donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) consisting of alcohol, hand soaps, masks, and tissue to NMMC on March 16.

“This effort is an expression of Liceo U's commitment to service and its appreciation and support to the healthcare frontliners who have worked tirelessly to contain the spread of COVID-19,” it said in its post.

The university’s National Service Training Program (NSTP) faculty and students, together with the College of Arts and Science Student Body Organization, spearheaded the collection of incoming donations.

Barangay Nazareth residents

The scarcity of medical supplies such as face masks has prompted Barangay Nazareth resident Maebelle Saldua Bernardino to make improvised reusable face masks to protect frontliners, volunteers, and those in the vulnerable sector. 

Bernardino and her husband have already sewn more than 150 washable face masks for use by frontliners. The cloth used to make the face masks came from Alma Mae Roa, a fashion designer and owner of local dress shops Fiona Clara and Cameron.

Misamis Oriental cluster TESDA, COBSAT 

The Misamis Oriental cluster TESDA Technical Institute (TTI) and Cagayan de Oro (Bugo) School of Arts & Trades (COBSAT) also produced face masks for frontliners, TESDA employees, and their families.

TESDA Director General Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña encouraged students registered under their dressmaking course to "immediately start producing and distributing the face masks." (READ: TESDA produces 17k face masks for COVID-19 frontliners)

The TESDA COBSAT team distributed 100 pieces of hand-sewn washable face masks to NMMC medical staff.

Eats Good, Pares

Known for its beef pares and bone marrow, Eats Good, Pares will send meals to frontliners at NMMC and JR Borja General Hospital. Their aim is to provide lunch and dinner to these frontliners for the next 30 days.

With a team trained to handle food with safety and precaution, Eats Good, Pares will be cooking fresh meals with beef, chicken, fish and vegetables. No pork will be included in their meals.

For every donation of P85, they will be able to provide a packed meal for frontliners at NMMC and JR Borja General Hospital. 

Those interested to donate may refer to the post below for more details:

– Rappler.com

Dominic Joaquin Dublado is a Mover from Cagayan de Oro City, Managing Editor at The Squire Publication – the official student publication of Xavier University Senior High School, and is an incoming college freshman at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

It’s only been a few days since the Duterte administration put all of us in the island of Luzon on lockdown due to this pandemic, and yet I already feel my anxiety going through the roof. It’s not the “normal” kind of anxiety that I’m used to: the rapid, sharp sensation that may persist throughout the day but eventually dies out. It’s the kind of anxiety that slowly wraps you in its claws, the creeping sense of dread similar to anticipating a jump scare at the end of a movie scene.

It’s a foreboding reminder that things are just going to get worse from here, or even worse, that things aren’t going to change.

“Makati nako. Text ko na lang kayo kung kelan ako uuwi. Ingat kayo” (I’m in Makati City. I’ll text you when I’m going home. Take care).

That was one of the last texts I sent before the first COVID-induced lockdown befell Metro Manila; a reminder to my parents in the bordering province of Cavite that I intend to continue my weekend visits home after all this is over. I normally send texts like these when I’m too lazy to leave my rented unit for the weekend, but this time it feels a little heavier. It almost feels apocalyptic knowing that my family, who should be at least two hours away, are suddenly impossible to reach due to the government’s military barriers and the virus’s invisible ones. Even though it’s just for a month, this lockdown made me realize what it really means to be alone. (READ: PODCAST: Battling depression and anxiety)

Shortly after the implementation of community quarantine and the 8 pm to 5 am curfew, public transport was banned. Now it’s really looking like a bad start to dystopia. I can’t take my nightly walks anymore, the restaurants are closed, and the streets are empty. People are doing the stuff I’m used to doing on a Friday night: browsing the web, reading, watching movies, staring at the ceiling. I’ve even mastered the whole work-from-home thing because I previously spent more than a year doing freelance work.

It feels surreal seeing everyone stuck in the sort of struggles I learned to live with growing up: staying at home, avoiding everyone, isolating. As someone with both anxiety and introversion, I grew up being told that I should put myself out there and that I should socialize more. Now, everyone is doing what I’ve been doing all these years not out of comfort but for safety. (READ: Dealing with depression and anxiety: My saving graces)

Instead of being comforted at the sight of my peers becoming like me, I feel uneasy. Because of COVID-19, I am reminded of how unnatural it is that I have few friends, that I prefer staying home to partying, that I don’t date, and that I tend to wander off and isolate no matter who I’m with.

I’m reminded that in order to survive in society’s rat race, some of us have to go out and protect whatever’s left in us with what little we have because we’re not privileged enough to have things handed to us.

As I write this, I get a text from my dad telling me to sleep in total darkness to increase the melatonin in my body. My dad’s a doctor, so I’m used to getting unsolicited health advice from him. I decided to keep reminding myself to take dad’s advice even though my roommates and I always sleep with the lights off. 

There’s darkness out there in the streets too, but the lights never go out. – Rappler.com

Andrea Rivera is a writer based in Makati City. Her Twitter handle is @andreyeaah.

ANGELES, Philippines– How are you doing during this lengthy community quarantine?

A group of registered psychometricians in Pampanga aims to help people check in on their mental health during the Luzon lockdown by releasing a free online well-being assessment on Monday, March 23.

LifeRisks, a non-profit organization in Pampanga focusing on mental health service, spearheaded the Global People’s Unexpected Life-Events Self Evaluation on Coronavirus Disease 2019 or #GPULSECOVID19.

It’s a free online well-being self-assessment website that helps citizens understand their social and emotional well-being during the coronavirus outbreak.

Usually lasting 10-15 minutes, the test contains a set of questions that will assess sleep quality, well-being, social support, social media use, and anxieties and hopes while being quarantined at home. 

There is also a designated questionnaire for frontliners and other medical workers that seeks to keep in mind possible post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in light of their work in the field.

The data given by the respondents feed the algorithm, which then creates a norm-referenced score, expressing the level of their symptoms from low, moderate, or high. The quick scales and reference cut-off scores are based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition. 

The respondents’ experiences according to the findings are interpreted, and tips on how to cope with different struggles are also included to help them stay mentally healthy during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Results are immediately presented after completing the assessment.

However, the findings from the online self-assessment are not meant to be used as valid proof of mental health illness. Rather, the assessment hopes to give people a better understanding of their emotional state. (READ: Keep calm and cope: How to stay mentally healthy during coronavirus crisis)

It also hopes to comfort people who are still having trouble discerning if their emotions are normal during these challenging times, especially as Filipinos are prohibited to go out and visit psychology experts for consultation for fear of transmission of the virus. (READ: LIST: Who are allowed out during Luzon lockdown?)

"There is no empirical data yet about the social and emotional effects of the virus to understand better the well-being of citizens. We can go and look into other [ways of knowing] if they are lonely, anxious, [or] depressed. People might be exhibiting some of these symptoms, so want to know if they're okay," added Norman Mendoza, the founding adviser of LifeRisks.

Led by Lifemovers registered under the National Youth Commission, LifeRisks worked with HopeLab of De La Salle University Manila to make the website happen.

A team of 4 people from LifeRisks especially worked on developing the online self-assessment website throughout the first week of March.

Mendoza centered on the survey building, while Adrian Paul Liangco, the organization's co-founder and current president, concentrated on the cultural adaptation of the survey, contextualizing the queries based on the prevailing encounters of Filipinos during this health crisis. 

Meanwhile, Wilzon Dizon fixed the proper scoring and measurements, and Leandro David did the proofreading. 

"Looking at the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to know how this could affect the well-being and mental health of the Filipino people, especially that there is an enhanced community quarantine. Therefore, the team decided to learn more about mental health amidst outbreaks," Mendoza explained.

He also mentioned that LifeRisks has always made it a point to make platforms for self-assessment especially when unexpected life events occur that significantly impact Filipinos’ lives.

He recounted creating a GPULSE last April 2019, when a magnitude 6.1 earthquake rocked Luzon. However, the assessment did not gain much attention as the results were provided only after 3-5 days. 

As of the moment, 74% of the #GPULSECOVID19 respondents are from Central Luzon, 17% from the National Capital Region, while the remainder come from the different regions across the country. 

The team is now receiving feedback, which can be expressed in the latter portion of the survey.

"The most important part of Filipinos is for them to know that they can check on themselves. There are so many ways for us to check on other people, but only a few ways to check on ourselves. So, take the survey for you to know what your current well-being status is because you are important," Mendoza added. – Rappler.com

Allena Therese Juguilon is a Rappler mover in Angeles City, Pampanga. She is a graduating Grade 12 student at Holy Family Academy and is the editor in chief of Cor Unum.

MANILA, Philippines– A doctor for almost 4 decades, Romeo Gregorio “Greg” Macasaet III offered the last few weeks of his life serving as a frontliner in the battle against the coronavirus epidemic. 

An anesthesiologist at Manila Doctors Hospital, he worked tirelessly to treat patients with COVID-19 until he eventually became a patient himself, succumbing to the fast-spreading virus on Sunday, March 22.

Fondly called Greg by his family, the 62-year-old doctor is survived by his wife Evalyn and their son Raymond. Evalyn, also an anesthesiologist at the same hospital, is presently under isolation after also testing positive for COVID-19.

The Macasaet family now has to grapple with the loss of their beloved Greg and remain in constant prayer that Evalyn will overcome the virus.

Who is Dr Greg? 

His family describes him as kind, loving, selfless, and genuine.

“Greg’s death is painful, but I am glad that he stood by his oath and profession until the end. He left no patients behind,” said his brother Toti Macasaet.

Echoing Toti’s tribute, Greg’s godson Renato Paraiso recounted his memories with the beloved doctor, saying it’s a “story that needs to be told.”

“Our country has lost a genuine hero, and the world has lost one of the [kindest and most] selfless human beings that would ever walk its surface,” he said.

Renato recalled how Greg and his wife chose to stay on the front lines, making the bold sacrifice to be of service to others, even as their son had special needs.

“If you know Ninong (godfather) Greg, then like me, you would not be surprised how everything unfolded. Even his death speaks to the character of the man and his family,” Renato added.

It was Greg’s compassion and undying dedication to his patients that, for Renato, became some of his most admirable traits.

“Never niyang pinabayaan ang mga pasyente niya (He never left his patients behind)," Renato shared.

“And now Kuya (brother) Greg has made the ultimate sacrifice of life, not because he was forced or obliged to do so, but because of his dedication to his craft and his constant devotion to be of service to others,” he continued. 

Frontliners to patients

When Greg started to realize how serious his condition was, he sent a message to his brother Masons from Keystone Lodge No. 100. (READ: Hell on Earth: The agonizing confusion over coronavirus testing in PH)

“Good evening, my beloved brethren! The turn of events is just no longer going in my favor. The feeling you get, aside from extreme pains all over, is difficulty of breathing, and as if all life is being sucked from your body,” it read.

Greg and his wife, it turned out, had been attending to patients in the emergency room, perhaps the most high-risk area on the front lines. In the emergency room, medical personnel will have to don protective gear and isolate patients who are potentially at their most contagious state. (READ: Braving a pandemic: Frontliners battle fear to confront the novel coronavirus)

In a message sent to Renato prior to his death, Greg said that he started with a “very high-grade fever followed by a really bad cough.”

Mild manifestations of the coronavirus disease include fever, dry cough, and fatigue, among others. More severe symptoms include difficulty in breathing or having a respiratory rate of less than 30 breaths a minute. (READ: When should you get tested for coronavirus?)

“Sinasabi niya talaga na ‘hindi tayo handa.’ Sinabi niya na there was really a lack in personnel and supplies,” Renato recalled.

(He told me that ‘we’re not prepared for this.’ He told me that there was really a lack in personnel and supplies.)

Due to the sudden swell in numbers, both private and public hospitals are overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment. Some hospitals have even reached their capacity, and are forced to turn away patients.

Many of the hospitals are also struggling with a shortage of personal protective equipment, and are often forced to improvise protection or resort to sanitizing whatever can be used again. (READ: Left in the dark: Little protection for government’s coronavirus frontliner)

Loving father to his son 

One thing about Greg, however, remained unknown to many: the endless love he had for his only child Raymond. 

“When we talked before he was to be intubated, he told me to take care of Raymond. Greg requested that prior to their confinement, Raymond stay with me and my children,” shared Toti. 

Moments before his passing, Greg even reiterated his concerns for his child, asking his brother Masons to assist the rest of his family “in our most difficult times.” 

“If they intubate me and place me on ventilator, then the game is almost over! If Ateng (Evalyn) survives, then my wish for her and Raymond for a long and happy life will bear fruition! Raymond, however, needs financial and emotional care for the rest of his life! Something I may no longer be able to fulfill,” Greg said in a text message sent to his brother Masons. 

Tributes amid grief 

Several groups and individuals expressed grief following Greg's death, including other doctors who then died in the line of duty as well. 

Manila Doctors Hospital honored him as a “brave man [and] one of the best anesthesiologists in the country.” 

“No words can convey the depth of our sadness as we lost not just a doctor but a friend, colleague, co-worker, father, and husband,” they said. 

The University of the Philippines-College of Medicine in Manila also mourned the “loss of a brave man who, along with other health workers, risked his life to save patients afflicted with COVID-19.” 

Meanwhile, grieving the death of Greg and other frontliners who died because of the coronavirus disease, the National Union of Students of the Philippines-Metro Manila said they hope “no other frontliner would need to sacrifice their lives as they continue to put themselves at risk.” 

Aside from Greg, several other top doctors have died, including cardiologist Israel Bactol, oncologist Rose Pulido, and cardiologist and internist Raul Diaz Jara. 

Until now, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to spike in the country. As of Wednesday, March 25, there are now 636 novel coronavirus cases in the Philippines, with 38 deaths. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – At a time when press freedom is under attack, how are campus journalists upholding the truth? 

In today's political climate where trolls and disinformation campaigns proliferate and the quest for truth becomes an everyday feat, student journalists aren't spared from the challenges that mainstream and alternative publications face.

In 2010, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) recorded almost 1,000 campus press freedom violations involving actual censorship of editorial content, harassment of student writers and editors, administrative intervention, and withholding of funds, among others.

CEGP said almost 200 student publications from different state and local universities and colleges nationwide are on the brink of being defunded. (READ: The different faces of press freedom violations vs campus journalists)

But despite the challenging circumstances, campus journalists fight back as they call for autonomy and protection of press freedom. 

Watch the video to find out how these student journalists continue to take courage amid the threats and attacks. – Rappler.com 

The coronavirus pandemic is exposing one of our greatest weaknesses as a society: the widening gap between the rich and the poor. With no end in sight at the moment, the impact of COVID-19 will be massive, devastating, and, in many areas of our lives, permanent.

This global pandemic worsens our already unequal and sexist economy. Just like in any crisis, it is always the poorest, marginalized, and most vulnerable people who suffer the most, especially women and girls.

It may appear that COVID-19 knows no race, gender, nor social or economic status – that one’s bank account and diplomas do not stop the rapid spread of the disease. However, our experience in the Philippines tells us a different story.

While it is true that anyone can be exposed, not everyone has the means to protect themselves, the opportunity to practice social distancing because of living and work arrangements, or the ability to cope financially and socially in the immediate and long-term. In some cases, ‘home’ is no longer a safe place for women who are quarantined with their abusers.

We must recognize the differentiated impacts of this pandemic and respond accordingly. 

According to the World Health Organization, 70% of the world’s health workers are women – they are now in the frontlines of the pandemic, challenged by the shortage of resources and protective equipment to keep them safe.

Unpaid care

In the Philippines, the livelihood of the women who comprise the majority of our informal sector, such as sidewalk vendors and home-based workers, have already been interrupted and negatively affected by the community quarantine restrictions.

On top of this, Oxfam’s recent findings on unpaid care and domestic work show that women in the Philippines are twice as much more likely to shoulder household tasks, such as childcare and cooking, which are compounded by expectations that they will now be the primary carers for the sick or for those under quarantine in the absence of enough hospital beds, test kits, access to critical medical services, and other social safety nets.

According to Oxfam’s latest inequality report, women around the world put in 12.5 billion hours of care work for free every day. Women’s unpaid care work alone is adding value to the economy by at least USD 10.8 trillion a year, a figure three times larger than the global tech industry.

In the Philippines, state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies estimates that women’s unpaid work is worth nearly PHP 2 trillion, roughly 20% of the country’s GDP. Yet, the unpaid care work that they do is radically undervalued and taken for granted by society.

Considering that the wheels of our economy and society keep turning at the expense of the largely undocumented and unaccounted unpaid care work of women and girls, then why do government approaches against COVID-19 fail to consider their needs?

Who is caring for our ‘invisible’ carers? These questions are even more critical now as we must all hold the line on existing commitments to women’s rights against a background of mounting economic disruptions, social injustice, regressive policies, and resource scarcity owing to the pandemic. 

We urgently need pro-poor and pro-women approaches to hurdle this health, poverty, and inequality crisis. We need more women from the marginalized and vulnerable sectors to participate in high-level decision making on local and national health preparedness and response.

We need the spaces for women’s rights and community-based organizations, self-help associations, cooperatives, and other civic groups to remain open and to persist, ensuring diversity in our voices. We need public health, social, and economic protection measures that understand and respond to the significant overlap between being a woman, being a carer, and being poor.

Flexible work arrangements

Governments and businesses can start caring for our carers by promoting flexible work arrangements and increasing access to paid leaves and social safety nets, including childcare support. Because COVID-19 is expected to increase the workloads of both paid and unpaid workers, our state duty-bearers must also invest in infrastructure and services that support the reduction of the unpaid care work of women, including water, energy, and health.

Women and men in the informal and agriculture sectors, as well as those trapped in ‘no work, no pay’ situations, will need support through emergency cash assistance that will tide them over and reinforce their dignity in these uncertain times. (Editor's note: Here's a donation link)

In the years to come, we will remember those who stood with the people during the crisis and those who simply looked after themselves. Our call is for governments and businesses to be on the right side of history.

Inaction robs women and girls of their time and opportunities, and puts at risk their safety and wellbeing. We either move forward with decisive and grounded solutions, or allow things to get worse with a business-as-usual approach. There is no middle ground because we are running out of time. – Rappler.com 

Vin Aranas is a communications lead at Oxfam. His work centers on responsible business practices, inclusive value chains, and women’s economic empowerment. Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 humanitarian and development organizations working in more than 90 countries.