Profit vs people

We can only hope and pray that the newly issued quarantine guidelines for various parts of our country were based on sound, informed data and research.

Did the policymakers consider the experiences of New Zealand, Vietnam and other countries that have, so far, been successful in dealing with the virus? Were they also aware of and guided by the reliable reports of UP and other local/global researchers?

We are very concerned how the new guidelines were decided on as there has been no clear and long-term flattening of the curve yet. Also, while DOH has been doing its best to improve their reporting and feedback mechanism, DOH data have just recently been discovered to have "alarming errors!"

As specific example, "a patient reported  by DOH as dead on April 24 was no longer on the list of fatalities the next day!"

Other clear errors observed by UP researchers showed that "at least 45 of the coronavirus cases went from male to female and vice versa, 75 patients became younger or older overnight while 516 cases were reclassified either to another city or to a completely imaginary city!"

The UP researchers also observed the mismatch between the numbers disclosed by the DOH and by local government units.

If the IATF is highly dependent on the DOH for medical updates and guidance and since the pandemic is essentially medical, erroneous medical data can lead to fatal consequences: more cases and deaths (God forbid).

Time will soon reveal if the decision to revise quarantine guidelines was appropriate, timely, and protective of our people.

Let us fervently pray all of our people remain safe and protected and the virus successfully managed and contained throughout our country. We pray as well that DOH and all agencies will be more careful and particular about obtaining and reporting reliable medical data much needed to combat this crisis.

Will the new quarantine guidelines ensure the safety of our people, the containment of the virus as well as meet the essential needs especially of the truly needy? We genuinely hope the new quarantine guidelines were prompted with the interest of our people and their protection as utmost priority.

We hope the IATF/DU30 decision was not guided by self-interest and profit, especially for a few.

For the subsequent quarantine period, did the IATF and DU30 have concrete, specific guidelines for stabilizing the daily needs of our people?

So much unmet daily needs. So much of system, of sensitivity, transparency, accountability, and most especially, sincerity in responding to the needs of so many poor in communities throughout the country!

Will the next quarantine phase see improvements and accountability in government service, SAP delivery, traffic/transport management, and more urgently, in the protection of our people's health, including those of our frontliners?

From the next May quarantine period onward, will government prioritize the use of public funds by Congress, no longer for conventional pork barrel projects, but for much needed priority projects involving food production and security, health, housing and protection of our people , and, alternative income and livelihood for the needy?

No public funds should be allowed for construction of roads, bridges, markets, landfills, waste to energy facilities or personal projects of politicians.

Instead, allow public funds only for construction of farming irrigation, farming land and input support, construction/maintenance of better housing, water system and well-equipped hospitals in every province and city, and fund support for medical and other producers and workers.

Moving forward, let us demand for national and local government to prioritize our people, to implement a truly genuine, more humane and multisectoral collaborative system of assisting, responding to the food, water, health, housing and economic needs of our country's poor.