Between health security and foreign relations

One of the alarming issues facing in the world and here in our country is the 2019 NCOV or novel coronavirus that first occurred in Wuhan, China. Rapidly rising cases scared researchers considering the epidemic had become a global outbreak due to the fast-moving nature of the virus, and the speed. Most often, spread from person to person happens among close contacts about six feet. Person-to-person spread occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes and approximately 14 people can be infected by this cough, with which it is transmitted.

Filipinos expressed their fears at the reluctance of the Philippine government to ban travel to and from mainland China. This, after the health department confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus. The Department of Health announced that a 38-year-old female Chinese national who travelled to the Philippines from Wuhan via Hong Kong tested positive for the virus as she arrived in the country on January 21.

When the story about the 2019 novel coronavirus broke, countries interpreted it as a security health threat. Countries like the USA, Singapore, and one of China’s long-standing allies –Russia-- immediately announced temporary banning on flights coming from China.

Contrary to those aforementioned countries, the Philippines has only announced temporary banning of flights coming from China last February 2. With this, we cannot deny that Filipinos have become irritated by the so-called “delayed decision” from the government.

Different opinions sparked over the internet, and some even says that the administration cannot just immediately ban flights coming from China considering the country’s contributions in the administration’s infrastructure project.

On the other hand, we believe that in issues like this endemic, the safety of the people should be considered first. The outrage of sentiments from the Filipino people is not about being too much entitled for their own opinions, but rather, for their safety. No one could afford to face a challenge like this. To get sick as medicines are getting expensive, our healthcare system is struggling, lack of medical advancement facilities unlike other countries where they can easily respond if there is a case like this very contagious virus.

We have all the right to be disappointed or to get dismayed as those are just valid feelings. It’s not about going against the government, but rather calling the government to act. On what is expected, appropriate, and proper. The people want immediate response when it comes to this alarming issue as a matter of fact we cannot blame our countrymen for being critical towards the government

We strongly believe that Duterte's administration's lack of immediate response is reflective of how out of touch with the people our national and provincial leaders are.

This sees the belief that political interest prevails over common good. Duterte is more afraid for our country's foreign relations with China than for his own people's health. What is the use of that relationship if this virus affects his own countrymen and, as a president, he should give more attention to the welfare of his people, because the Philippine Constitution provides in Article 2 Section 15, affirms that the state shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill healthful consciousness among them. And as the head of the state, he should be the first one in protecting the general welfare of his constituents.

Despite this, as students we believe that the government should have acted faster when cases of nCoV were not reported in the country because it is their collective effort to ensure security among citizens of the country. As of now, we should all definitely remain calm yet vigilant despite the fact of the drastic spread of the virus. As a saying goes, “prevention is better than cure” insists that it is better to take appropriate measures before the commencement of a problem, rather than after it has already ensued.

Justine Kate Paquibot and Nelson Cabreros

Bachelor of Arts in International Studies

University of San Jose-Recoletos