Jaira Faith A.

Gayod

What are your thoughts on the imposed Community Quarantine temporarily prohibiting
travel to and from Metro Manila due to the COVID-19 threat?

COVID-19 is a strain of Coronavirus that was recently monitored in Wuhan, China back

in December 2019 that can cause mild to severe respiratory infections to humans and animals.
The virus can spread through droplets from coughing and exhales. It was in January 2020 when
the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the Philippines.
 
In response to the rising local cases of COVID-19, on March 12, President
Rodrigo Duterte issued a partial lockdown on Metro Manila, banning travel to and from Manila.
It was on March 16, when cases in other provinces were reported, did the President extend the
quarantine to the entirety of Luzon.
 
In lieu of these events, directives from the national and LGU level has been responsive
and active to the threat of the global pandemic. However, the implementation of the travel ban to
and from Metro Manila was proven unsuccessful in preventing the spread to other provinces, as
there are confirmed cases in Bacolod, Antipolo and Batangas. Despite the failure of the
ideal objective of the lockdown, there has been impact of the travel ban on the Filipino
community.
 
On a medical standpoint, the restrictions on travel and quarantine imposition has greatly
reduced the risks of transmission and slowed the spread of the virus locally and nationally. Not
only do these benefit private individuals; with fewer cases to cater to, frontliners in the medical
field can then focus on the recovery of the existing cases while looking for a vaccine to mitigate
the impact of COVID-19 in the nation.
 
On the other hand, banning citizens to travel to and from Metro Manila severely impacts
their livelihood as many Filipino workers commute to Metro Manila for work and stay in the
provinces for a cheaper standard of living. This can severely affect the private sector,
particularly contractuals and informal workers. Not only does it impact the economic status of
these workers, it can also impact the health and well being of these workers and their families as
most of these families live on a day-to-day income. While the government has taken up
to provide P5,000 per worker as a subsidy for 250,000 workers, the average Filipino household
can consume up to P17,160 per month when it comes to food. By restricting travel to the highly
urbanized areas, the social and economic impact of these decisions should be mitigated and
anticipated by the national government and LGUs.
 
Another point of contention was the sudden and ineffective instructions during the time
of implementation of said quarantine. Borders during lockdown were closed except for private
employees, which caused massive traffic, increasing the risk of transmission in the crowds that
gathered for hours. Residents also rushed to their home provinces upon announcement of
shutting down the borders, which may have caused the spread of the virus to their respective
provinces. Public transportation suspension was also poorly executed as alternatives for private
employees and health workers were not offered by the MMDA, which prompted LGUs to
respond accordingly and create confusion as to what constitutes as public transportation.

The travel prohibition to and from Manila may have slowed down the spread of COVID-
19, but this measure is only a first step in response to this global pandemic. A more
comprehensive and concrete statement from the executive branch would be highly appreciated,
since in my opinion, communication is crucial in prevention of panic and confusion in trying
times such as these. A better coordination between LGUs and national government would be
much-needed as cases of mayors clashing with departments regarding issues of public
transportation and movement of essential goods and products between jurisdictions were
reported. This example of ineffective bureaucracy is what can slow down the government’s
response to the Filipino people.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic is a demonstration of how responsive a national government is in
times of crises. By imposing a travel ban in Metro Manila, there have been social, economic and
political effects that the government officials may not have foreseen or anticipated. The reactive
and proactive measures our political leaders take during this global pandemic will determine our
fate and future as a country.

Sources:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
https://www.who.int/philippines/emergencies/covid-19-in-the-philippines
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/729459/code-red-sub-level-2-duterte-
announces-tougher-measures-vs-covid-19-threat/story/
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/729875/duterte-orders-lockdown-of-entire-
luzon-due-to-covid-19-threat/story/
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/9/Duterte-travel-ban-still-allows-China-
flights.html
https://www.interaksyon.com/breaking-news/2018/06/11/128411/filipino-family-basic-monthly-
income-p42000-or-p10000/
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097307
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/03/23/2002841/dilg-file-raps-vs-abusive-lgu-barangay-
execs
https://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2020/3/18/areas-outside-Luzon-shut-down-its-borders-as-
number-COVID-19-rise.html
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/17/20/long-lines-seen-at-qc-bulacan-border-amid-
enhanced-community-quarantine