Making things up along the way

As “prisoners of war” of COVID-19, we can honorably add another notch on our belt or scratch on the wall to mark our 87th day in captivity. Another four days, it will be three months under detention with no charges or violation. Fortunately it is all for a good cause: to keep as many of us healthy and alive. What makes the passing of time under quarantine difficult is that we all aspire to be able to get out of our homes, go somewhere and to be able to do so in the near future. Unfortunately, the people in charge or the IATF does not seem to have any idea when “When” is going to be. This morning as I prepared for our TV program “AGENDA” on Cignal TV and Facebook, I read the news that the IATF spokesperson said that Metro Manila has an “even chance” of being placed under Modified General Community Quarantine.

That made me realize that the IATF and the Duterte administration has gone from following the WHO guidelines, to completely making things up as they go along! I searched Google to find out if there is an international system that states quarantine models that show ECQ, Modified ECQ, GCQ, and Modified GCQ. The only things that showed up were all from an island chain called the Philippines. Only in the Philippines, meaning all the quarantine levels we have been detained under were invented in the Philippines. We are also the longest running quarantine in the world. What makes me wonder is who in the IATF decides what to call the next extension of detention and what is the scientific basis for changing names and levels every 15 days?

In the first place, the last time I heard, the Chief Implementer of the government’s program against COVID-19 is Carlito Galvez. He said that if there are two reported cases and up, then a whole building, a street, or a sitio could be placed under quarantine instead of entire complexes or barangays, while the rest of us walk toward our exodus to normalcy. There was even talk that mayors and barangay captains can then determine if there is a need to lift or impose quarantine in their areas of responsibility. But out of nowhere the IATF spokesperson has been quoted as talking about a modification or Modified GCQ. It seems that after addressing the potential “Hunger Games” in Metro Manila, the IATF is now focusing on running “The Hurdle Games of 2020.” After the initial 30-day hurdle under quarantine, we are now challenged to overcome 15-day trials of different levels before we are allowed outside this maze of uncertainty.

Aside from the continuing uncertainty and manufactured levels and justifications to delay our return to normal, what worries me the most is the possibility that the IATF and the government could be paralyzed by the fear of a second wave which is why they have grudgingly and creatively delayed opening businesses and communities the way Asian and western countries have done. They have also not decided exactly when we must go to the new normal regardless of COVID-19 related statistics. Thanks to government, we have far less deaths, far less COVID cases, and a good score for recoveries. But that cannot be the goal or the focus forever, neither should it only be about the economy. The goal must be about getting a good measure of our normal lives back. Allowing people to take responsibility for their health, livelihood and wellbeing. Quarantine is not a plan of action, it is plain and simple playing safe but inutile.

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In the last month, I have heard and read of problems encountered by many backyard or retiree farmers who’ve been subjected to a double whammy of sorts. Here is a real life sample:

Dear Mr Cito Beltran,

I am a regular and an avid reader of your column, CTalk in the PhilSTAR.

Am writing you not in regard of any article but in the hope that you may be able to give some advice. I have gleaned through your various articles that you are an owner of a farm in Lipa, Batangas.

My senior citizen father used to enjoy his weekly visits to his small farm lot in Lipa. I dare say that his ‘gardening’ activity has helped him maintain his health thru the years. That is, until those weekly trips have been curtailed by the lockdown for now almost 3 months. Consequently, his plants and trees have been abandoned as he does not have a stay-in katiwala to take care of the property in his absence. I was wondering if you can suggest how to ‘go around’ the GCQ restrictions and allow my father to resume his trips to Lipa, coming from Pasig, as you do.

Respectfully,

Phil

If you Google the average age of farmers in the Philippines, the available data from the Department of Agriculture states it’s between 57 to 60 years old. Many retirees get into farming at around 55 to 65 years of age depending on company practices regarding retirement. That is the same age group that the IATF has singled out as “high risk” and confined to shelter. Ironically senior citizens inside Metro Manila can wander about as long as they are employed, have a company card or own a company or one of the aged Cabinet members of PRRD.

In the interest of fairness and in order to support and safeguard backyard farms, may I suggest that the IATF and DILG give Barangay Captains the sole authority to issue special “Point to Point” travel passes. As often said by national government officials it is the barangay captains who know their constituents. Skip the added and final requirement of going to the chief of police. That is red tape, unnecessary travel and exposure. Ninety days quarantine has been long enough and 60 years and above is proof that we can take good care of ourselves.

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