Philippines and Its Small Fire of Resilience

The world is facing lots of problem. Each country experiences different problems and gives solutions to them. But then a single yet big threat emerged. The word Pandemic took over the news. Covid-19, a virus originated from China, shocked humanity as it spread throughout the world. Almost every country was affected, including the Philippines. I know every leader of every affected country formed a common question among themselves. “How can we fix this?” Each country made a move and tried to respond this huge health crisis. Of course, Philippines is also included. But, two years has been passed and still Philippines is not safe. The questions are why? How come? What is lacking and what is needed?

Philippines has reported the first death from the corona virus outside China and that alarmed the government and the Filipinos. As the local transmissions increased, the government declared health emergency. Lockdown and travel ban was implemented to the affected parts of the country, people were quarantined, going outside is limited, facemasks and alcohol became a part of Filipinos’ everyday life. That somehow slowed the transmissions. It seems to have no differences to the other countries. But then, the lockdown was lifted and people, who can be positives and carriers of the virus, from the affected parts traveled to the unaffected parts of the country which is not a good idea at all. The government then again imposed a 14-day home quarantine to those who traveled from one place to another to monitor if the symptoms show.

Seems to have no problem right?

Yes, but some don’t know that there are other Filipinos who take Covid-19 as a joke. Some of those who are supposed to be inside their house went out without any important matters to do outside. Local cases increased again and death rate also increased. Affected parts were put again in lockdown and borders were closed. No one can go outside and no one can go inside. Lockdown and lifting lockdown is happening alternately because people are complaining that they need to go to out and make money. Then the vaccines were created. Finally, we could now go back to normal life. Wishing it is true but, it is not. Some Filipinos don’t trust and don’t want to take the vaccines because of the fear of having more serious trouble. This is the reason why Philippines fell to the last place in Covid-19 ranking of best and worst places to be in pandemic. Among 53 countries, PH falls at the bottom in Covid-19 resilience report.

Philippines is still not safe. Why? Because the country is still not yet completely recovered. Some places are still doing lockdowns. How come that the Philippines is not yet safe? The solution is already there but some don’t want to take the method. What is lacking and what is needed? None is lacking. Protocols are implemented and precautions are safely delivered. It just needs cooperation. We must work together, help one another, and follow the protocols and safety precautions. That is the fuel to make the small fire of resilience shine stronger. It is the way to achieve more resilient country. A resilient nation has a people who work as one. And people who work as one, strive and thrive as one.