By Cong Corrales
YESTERDAY, the “community quarantine” of 12,877,253 people in Metropolitan Manila was on its second day. The lockdown officially started Sunday.
If the drug-addled rambling President is to be believed, the lockdown would end on April 14. Metro Manila is the most populous region in the country.
Having worked in Quezon City for at least five years, I understand this administration’s Hail Mary pass at containing the new coronavirus -- Covid-19. I used to live in a one-room apartment in the historical Barangay Krus na Ligas, a stone’s throw from the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines.
There, 21,513 people densely packed area of at least two hectares, just like in any other depressed community in the country. Communities like these make this administration’s policy of social distancing almost impossible to implement. Social distancing is a privilege that poor people cannot afford.
But I am not a Manileño, so I will neither act nor analyze like one. Instead, I would like to share with you the statement of the Center for Women’s Resources, which is based in Quezon City. This gender advocacy group has partnered with this paper on many issues in the past that I deemed it only proper to give them a space in my column today. Please do read on:
“With one public doctor per 31,000 Filipinos:
“We need more free health services per barangay, not lockdown - CWR
“The current ratio of one public doctor for more than 31,000 Filipinos is already disturbing for the public that a lockdown makes them even more distressed, according to the 38-year research and training organization, Center for Women’s Resources (CWR), over President Duterte’s announcement of Metro Manila-wide lockdown on Thursday night.
“‘President Duterte’s announcement of lockdown raises more questions than answers. We were waiting for concrete medical actions like massive free testing in every barangay but then President Duterte mumbles about peace and order through military assistance that makes us more worried than appeased,’ commented CWR executive director Jojo Guan, referring to the president’s press conference which supposedly will provide updates and important announcements on Covid-19.
“According to Guan, the president’s announcement did not provide much information on how to prevent and combat Covid-19, instead it only mentioned suspension of air, land, and sea travels to and from Metro Manila, suspension of government work in executive offices, and extension of class suspension until April 12.
“‘The government, Guan said, wanted to impose community quarantine to cities and municipalities with confirmed cases of Covid-19, however, it did not provide guidelines for its implementation.
“‘We were hoping that the government would announce massive testing in communities where there are confirmed cases of Covid-19; that information drive will be launched in poor communities where awareness on Covid-19 is low; that regulations will be imposed on hoarding and overpricing of medical products such as face masks, alcohol, medicines, and disinfectants; that additional funds will be given to buy more testing kits and provide protection to health care providers; that aid will be provided to those whose work and livelihood are affected by Covid-19. Instead, we heard about peace and order, obey or get arrested,’ Guan lamented.
“Guan further explained, ‘What we want to know are the available services for us to access, but we did not hear these things. No safety measures, no parameters, no alternatives were mentioned. Just to follow orders from a military or police supposedly under the leadership of a civilian authority like Health Secretary Duque.’
“According to the most recent government data, the public health care system could hardly respond in times of pandemic like Covid-19 as there are limited public health facilities and inadequate number of health care providers in the country.
Currently, there are only 2,597 rural health units (RHU) and urban health centers (UHC) across the country, or less than half of target of the Department of Health (DOH). This translates to one RHU or UHC for almost 41,000 Filipinos. The ratio of government-owned hospital beds to population stands at 1:2,320.
“Meanwhile, health care providers in government hospitals are also limited. The public doctors to population ratio is 1:31,390 while the public nurses to population ratio is 1:16,832.
“‘Instead of hiring and deploying more health care providers to affected communities, the government imposes lockdown and deploys thousands of police and military forces. Instead of reassuring the public, the government poses more threats,’ Guan said.
“According to Guan, the president announced guidelines that are disconnected from people’s reality such as the continued operations of mass public transport provided that it complies with social distancing guidelines, and the suspension of travels to and from Metro Manila.
“‘The reality in mass public transport is horrendous even before Covid-19 strikes the country. Overcrowded trains break down regularly, while buses and jeepneys are often overloaded while stuck in terrible traffic. So, imposing social distancing in mass public transport is wishful thinking,’ Guan explained.
“Guan added that the government failed to consider the impact of Metro Manila lockdown to workers who are not entitled to leaves and benefits, and to those who live outside the region.
“‘Will the government provide compensation to workers whose work are suspended when they are on no work, no pay status? How about the workers outside NCR? How are they going to work and provide for their families? What kind of assistance can the government provide for these workers?’ Guan asked.
“Guan added that workers in the manufacturing, retail, and services can continue working, however, safety measures were not mentioned to ensure their protection from the virus.
“The recent pronouncements of the government only reflects its apparent poor planning and response to disasters and pandemics. As usual, it is reactive, unsystematic and militaristic,’ Guan observed.”
