What happened last Tuesday during the 34th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution? The stage was set. The policemen were scattered in their respective positions. Media was on toe. But the streets were empty. To remember this day in our history is important. It is vital and crucial for our youth to understand what happened then, but to try to revive that same spirit of EDSA? I don’t think it will ever happen again. The people will not come as they did before. A netizen even quipped that there were more people in the People Power monument than there were in the streets.
As much as we want to resurrect this day and save that fervor, it’s done! Let’s face it, we already won the battle to oust the Marcoses – the real objective of the EDSA People Power Revolution. Yes, the regime that wounded our nation and our people. The second, the third and the fourth People Power Revolution never reached their peak just like the 1986 revolution. The opposition just continued to use the same platform. But as the years passed the crowds began to slowly disappear. One by one, they went their own paths, never to meet at the crossroads again, never to have the same goal, the same motivation to take to the streets and shout for a good cause.
Did we hear the people sing? The song Do you hear the people sing from Les Miserables comes to mind… it goes: Do you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of angry men? It is the music of the people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drum. There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes! Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see? Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free! … Will you give all you can give so that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live will you stand up and take your chance?...
Today, we have more battles to face. Will the people still march in EDSA? Maybe, maybe not! So much has changed in our society – the use of technology where netizens speak out on social media platforms, the physical division of EDSA with the MRT in the middle and the political colors that used to separate the two parties have now multiplied into a kaleidoscope of colors – all these have contributed to the diminishing crowd of the EDSA that was.
Let us focus and go to our very core. We have a myriad of problems in our society. We are treading in dangerous waters. Election 2022 is not that far away. It is coming. Rumor has it that Bong Bong Marcos will run for President. He actually announced his plans last month. Now doesn’t this just complete the tragedy? This is the danger that lies beneath us. We should start thinking and start singing again!
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The light at the end of the tunnel is not forthcoming for the search of a vaccine that would kill the coronavirus or COVID-19. Medical experts and leaders of the 64 countries infected by COVID-19 are grappling with the gargantuan task of containing the virus and preventing it from spreading between individuals and country borders.
Globally, the virus has resulted to 86,603 confirmed cases and 2,977 deaths as of March 1, 2020. COVID-19 has already outscored the SARS impact of 8,096 people infected and 774 deaths in 29 countries from November 2002 to July 2003. MERS, on the other hand, infected 2,494 persons and listed 858 deaths in 2012.
South Korea’s city of Daegu and its nearby towns is becoming the new ground zero after the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan, China. The latest figure of 4,715 confirmed cases, the largest coronavirus outbreak outside China, is expected to increase dramatically when an aggressive testing starts for the more than 200,000 members of the Shincheonji religious group in Daegu believed to have originated the virus infection. Italy with its four digit confirmed cases, Iran and Japan with triple digit are emerging as critical areas of concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) is in the brink of declaring a state of pandemic. The global impact of COVID-19 in trade, commerce and tourism is staggering.
Governments around the world are surely getting worried about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. In the Philippines, it seems that the economic managers of the president are not so worried at all. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said, “We are a big enough economy that can handle this thing. We are not going into recession because of it.” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia has also played down COVID-19’s impact on tourism as “short-term.”
However, the Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) noted that the coronavirus outbreak could have a major impact on Philippine economy over the next few months. CNN Philippines reported that Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist for Union Bank of the Philippines, noted that the coronavirus outbreak could cost the Philippine economy $600 M or 0.8% of economic growth if it lasts for six months.
Capital Economics, a London-based think tank said in a report that although we are relatively insulated from the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019, (COVID-19), the Philippines will likely see slower economic growth in the first quarter of the year primarily due to the virus’ impact on tourism.
NEDA officials have recognized that the travel and tourism industry will take a beating in the current environment, standing to lose P22.7 billion per month including domestic airline receipts. As we all know travel and tourism – both foreign and domestic – makes up 12.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said their estimates showed the tourism sector could lose a total of P42.9 billion from February until April – P16.8 billion this month, another P14.11 billion for March and P11.98 billion for April – as citizens are expected to cancel scheduled flights and postpone events, among others, amid the virus scare.
For airlines, Roberto Lim, executive director and vice-chairman of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (ACAP) said they are expecting to lose around P3 billion from ticket refunds in the next two months following the China travel ban.
COVID-19 has threatened the fate of the upcoming ASEAN Summit and the Tokyo Olympics. Businesses are starting to close down and/ or lay off many personnel. Popular theme parks like Disneyland in Tokyo and Hong Kong at a standstill. Concerts, weddings and family affairs have been put on hold. Moody’s Investors Service, a credit rater also reported that the fallout from the virus spread can hurt the asset quality and profitability of Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks.
House Committee on Trade and Industry Chairman Wes Gatchalian said the Philippine economic managers must brace for the worst as the COVID-19 crisis continues to severely impact the country’s trade and industry. He said the DTI reported that the supply of electronic parts and components from China has tightened amid the lack of air-cargo space, limited flights and the imposition of the travel ban. He said that it is necessary “to revisit economic growth targets for 2020 due to the continuing COVID-19 crisis.”
So with such a domino effect of triggering issues and concerns amidst the COVID-19 how can we still continue to downplay the problem? It’s time to confront the brutal facts.