PUBLICATIONS

Addressing hunger amid the pandemic

THE coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has a tremendous worldwide impact. It kills both people and sources of income. The number of deaths continues to exponentially increase. The struggle of Filipino families to survive also persists.

Hunger is real, and many Filipinos ask this question: “Where can I get food for me and my family today?” People are compelled to provide for their families, and, inevitably, violate quarantine protocols.

Cushioning the impact of Covid-19

In light of the nation’s growing concern for the coronavirus pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte placed the National Capital Region on a community quarantine on March 12, 2020.

Seeing that the community quarantine would not be sufficient to address the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Duterte, on March 16, issued an order that placed the entire Luzon area on enhanced community quarantine status.

Police power: The balance between public and private interests during the Covid-19 pandemic

THE coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has significantly affected the lives of everyone. Aside from the effect of the contagion, the natural reaction of people in trying to avoid the virus brings some abnormal changes or disruption in the usual course of their day-to-day lives.

It is undeniable that this has disrupted the economy, given that the National Capital Region — the economic, political and cultural center of the country — has been under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or “lockdown” for the past two months.

Saving small businesses and ensuring food supply in a pandemic

AS we have experienced firsthand, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has quickly turned from a health crisis into a humanitarian and economic crisis. The strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has broken our food supply chain and threatens to dislocate millions of people employed by micro, small and medium enterprises.

To lessen the negative economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on small businesses, farmers, fishermen and consumers, the government enacted the Republic Act (RA) 11469 or the “Bayanihan Heal as One Act.” To ensure the implementation of the law and continuous food production, the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry (DTI), Agriculture (DA), Finance, Budget and Management and Interior and Local Government issued Joint Memorandum Circular 1, series of 2020, that provides guidelines to freeze prices of certain commodities and provide livelihood assistance through programs, cash, loan assistance and moratorium on loans.

Transparency and accountability in the implementation of Bayanihan Act

EVEN with the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and physical distancing measures in place, “bayanihan” — the Filipino concept of communal unity and cooperation — can be felt more than ever. While the traditional picture of bayanihan is that of Filipinos working physically close to each other, the one-meter distance or more is proving to be no obstacle among the people in lending a helping hand in this time of pandemic. But bayanihan alone will not defeat this formidable and contagious enemy. There is a need to formulate clear and effective measures, long-term concrete plans and lawful directives to overcome this pandemic, the duty of which rests upon the government and other public servants.