Reality is unexpected, Life is unpredictable.

Alarming scenarios occurred for this year of

2020, and one of this is the pandemic that the world is facing right now, Covid-19 that is

considered as a Global Issue. It is an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus.

The rapid transmission of the virus causes a lot of deaths around the world, but still many people

with or without this disease kept on fighting and winning this battle.

I can say that the Philippines' readiness for a huge crisis especially like this pandemic that

we are experiencing right now is not well equipped and unforeseen. Agricultural supplies that is

given by the government are inadequate to support the needs of the country. In this case, a lot of

organizations, companies locally and internationally joined forces in order to sustain the needs of

others. And because “bayanihan” is one of the cultures of the Filipinos, this is shown and catered

not just here in the Philippines but also in different countries. Other citizens also show their

support and help by giving food to the front liners. Celebrities and other media influencers were

using their voices to spread awareness and also they stand as role models and influencing a lot of

people to help even in small ways. Locals sew some PPE suits, and face masks, made face

shields for the front liners for free. A lot of fundraising projects popped out all over social media

platforms. But sadly it is not enough.

A lot of ordinances are implemented, but the majority of the citizens were having a hard

time to follow. Government makes its move to monitor and control the transmission of covid-19

by declaring Enhance Community Quarantine abbreviated as ECQ. Local Government Unit also

called as LGU provides quarantine pass, one person per each family only, as an authorization
that they may go out to buy their necessities like foods, soaps, and more. With this “Social

Distancing” was also observed. LGU also distributed relief goods containing rice, canned goods,

instant noodles, powdered milk and instant coffee, and also soaps and disinfectants. Some

barangays also give viands in every household along their scopes. Market on wheels also came

up to lessen the reason of going out.

Besides of giving goods, cash assistance was given to those affected individuals that fit

their criteria. The financial aid program was distributed by four different agencies of the

government namely; Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social

Welfare and Development (DSWD), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Our

government is doing its best to give assistance to everyone especially for those people/ families

who are not capable enough to suffice their daily necessities because of the limited financial

resources... some of them are unemployed or daily income earner. For some business owners that

cannot operate their business/es, and for those Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who cannot

work because of Covid-19 and the ordinance of Enhance Community Quarantine.

Being far from your loved ones during this pandemic is painful, and that is just one of the

dilemmas that our front liners are facing. Being one of them needs to have a strong body and

emotions besides of having a firm will and dedication. They are the ones who relinquished their

time, effort, and even their lives to help necessitous people, protecting different municipalities,

and saving someone's life. That is why these people gain so much respect and receive a lot of

benefits not just from the government, nor their companies, but also from the society. It is
devastating to lost a loved one that is why last April 30, 2020 article from GMA News Online,

“The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said Thursday it is set to release a total of

P12.9 million in life insurance benefits to the families or beneficiaries of the eight government

health workers who succumbed to the COVID-19 virus”. It is a way of the government to

alleviate the mourning of the families who are left behind by our heroes while they are

sacrificing a lot of things in order for them to serve our country.

Not just the supply of daily essentials of the citizens are limited, because the health care

facilities here in the Philippines are also inadequate to treat all the Covid patients here in the

country. Yes, we have private and public hospitals around the provinces and even in the metro,

but not all hospitals are well facilitated and doesn't have enough and accurate equipment to

entertain Covid patients. This situation also threatened those non-covid patients to go and be

treated in the hospitals. That is why with the help of the government and different organizations

they come up with more healthcare facilities and making other buildings like Philippine Arena as

a quarantine site. Other celebrities like Angel Locsin, along with her team, launched a campaign

to help and give quarantine facilities for the covid-patients and people under investigation (PUI)

and also sleeping tents for the health care workers and also medical supplies.

The lack of health workers is also one of the problems that the country is facing. The

number of health workers that the Philippines have, cannot treat a bunch of covid patients and

some of the health workers were also diagnosed with this virus, because of this doctors, nurses,

and other medical professionals volunteered to help the needy. The Department of Health, also
called DOH unveiled additional benefits for health professionals who would volunteer to serve at

COVID-19 referral hospitals a day after apologizing for only giving them a ₱500 daily allowance

according to CNN Philippines’ news last March 29. In addition the volunteers will also get

transportation allowance, food and lodging for the duration of their services/duties.

When Enhance Community Quarantine was implemented, students who are still not done

to their school year were advised to have online classes. As one of those students, I am having a

hard time studying and understanding my lessons through technology for the reason that the

other topics are confusing and it is hard to understand and also it is not that simple to

communicate with your teacher through online, maybe its because the students here in the

Philippines are used to the classroom set up than online classes. I also don’t have a stable internet

connection to attend my classes and to be updated on every topic that our teachers are posting.

Lack of equipment like laptop, ipad or phone is also my problem because I don’t own any and it

struggles me to comply with my requirements.

Besides of being a student I am also a daughter who also has obligations at home. It is

tough for me to do both tasks at the same time, loads of school work and household chores. It is

easy to say to have an organization plan or time management, but in my reality it is difficult.

This time of pandemic, most of the people are anxious, thinking of how they will survive the

day. The stress that online classes gave me and other stress because of this pandemic makes a

detrimental effect to my emotional and mental health. I know that I am not the only one who

suffers from these health issues, but a lot of school managements are having a hard time to deal

with their students' concerns. Some schools suspend online classes, some will give refunds of
tuition fees, and others offer guidance counseling through online in order to for them to keep in

touch with their students and to lessen the burdens and worries not just for the pupils but also for

their parents/guardian as well.

This pandemic ended a lot of lives around the world, stole happiness and rest to a lot of

people, minimized the chances of the students, workers, and entrepreneurs to reach their goals

right now, gave stress and disappointment that triggered our mental, emotional and spiritual

health. Even though the governments are doing their ways to get rid of this virus by making and

implementing different ordinances, it is not fair to all. There's a lot of help and donations but still

a lot of families are starving that leads them to become sick. Lack of facilities and health

assistance for the covid patients causes death”. In short it gives a negative outcome to everybody

and to the world, because of this we cannot see the positive thing that covid-19 is teaching us.

This pandemic shows us how life is important and needs to be taken care of. It helps us

to strengthen our relationship with others, especially to our families. It highlights the benevolent

and sympathetic side of all of us. Giving, participating in different organizations, by simply

following the ordinances and simple guidelines to prevent having covid-19 , and by just praying

contributes a lot to make the situation better. It taught us to be productive, explore the things that

we can do like cooking or inventing some good and unique recipes. Gave us a chance to give

inspiration and show our care for everyone with the help of social media platforms. This crisis

helps us to mold ourselves to be a better person. Because of ECQ, we get the chance to think and

to reminisce about all the events, situations, and happenings to our lives from the past years that

can help for our growth. We get the chance to take care of ourselves not just physically but also
in other aspects. We are able to appreciate small doings from other people that we cannot do on a

normal day. Covid-19 taught us a lot of things, even though it has a negative effect for us, it still

has its beauty that we need to be thankful for. In this time of crisis, staying positive is a must.

Instead of looking at the fatalistic side, let's try to open our eyes, minds and hearts to a more

beautiful and blessed life. Let this be a sign for us to value, treasure, and cherish our loved ones,

friends, community, the country, ourselves and most importantly, GOD. When God's people

come in unity and entrust to Him everything, He will show His greatness.