#ASKGOYO Atty. Gregorio Larrazabal Today will be the last day of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and some other provinces. As of the time I wrote this, there has yet been no decision as to whether to extend the MECQ, or shift to a more relaxed form of quarantine, which is the General Community Quarantine.  Based on the pronouncements of some officials, it seems they want a stricter General Community Quarantine. But really, during the two weeks of MECQ, aside from restricting people from working and movement, what else was done?  Were there more people tested than the usual numbers? Nope, there weren’t.  The number of individuals tested remained relatively at the same level as when we were in GCQ.  Did the government do a comprehensive Triple T approach, which is the TEST, TRACE and TREAT?  That’s a big no.  In fact, many were shocked when the Department of Health issued a Public Advisory informing the general public that Filipinos should beware of scams of people claiming to be contact tracers, because…. There are no contact tracing teams of the Department of Health.  That was mind-blowing considering the first official infection in the Philippines was way back in January, and we’re already August.  Saying that’s scandalous doesn’t even begin to convey how disturbing that news was.  I would not have believed it myself, except that it was an official announcement of the Department.  So, August, and still no national contact tracing teams. The only saving grace is that LGUs have themselves formed contact tracing teams.  It’s sad that leadership and vision is coming from the LGUs and not the national offices….  In fact, several LGUs have done their own contact tracing, with some success. While other countries are focused on the TEST, TRACE, & TREAT approach, while supporting their scientists in developing a vaccine, the Philippines is busy trying to enforce the requirement of having people wear face shields.  And not just any face shield, face shields that meet certain “standards”.  While other countries are talking about data and statistics, we’re talking about what type of face shields to use.There’s even no clear guidelines because the pronouncement of some offices contradict the order of other agencies.  At the end, it’s the ordinary Filipinos who have to, again, bear the brunt of the confusion. What seems to exacerbate the predicament we are in is that last Monday SWS released their latest survey and according to the National Mobile Phone Survey conducted by SWS from July 3-6, 2020, adult unemployment in the Philippines rose to 45.5%, a 28-point increase from 17.1% in December 2019, and a new record high from the 34.4% logged in March 2012.  That translates into about 27.3 MILLION jobless adults in July, 2020. For those wondering, the SWS defines the labor force as adults (18 years old and above) presently with a job or are looking for a job. The labor force participation rate is the proportion of adults in the labor force. Twenty Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand Filipinos unemployed.  That’s Twenty Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand people who have to find ways to put food on the table. Twenty Seven Million Three Hundred Thousand Filipinos who will have to find ways to limit their spending to the essentials, thus the ripple effect on the country’s economy and economic activity. Now is the time to buckle down, re-adjust and make sure we’re focused on what’s really important.  We’re already August.  In less than two weeks the BER months start, and Jose Marie Chan music is already supposed to start playing.  There are three things that the government needs to focus on:

1. Find ways to contain the spread of the virus, with the TEST, TRACE & TREAT approach.
2. Ensure the health and welfare of the citizens and residents by hearing, listening and understanding what the medical societies have been saying.
3. Help jump-start the economy by making sensible and well thought-out plans that can be implemented in stages.

How do you achieve these three goals?  There are many intelligent, sensible and competent people in government.  They were either elected into office or appointed to a government position. It’s their duty and responsibility to achieve those goals.  We’re not in office, they are.  We have to demand from them that they perform the duties and functions of the office they occupy.  We’ve had enough time to come up with programs to address these concerns.  That’s why many can’t seem to understand why we’re stuck in a rut.  Most of the good news we hear now are the programs and initiatives of the LGUs.  That’s not supposed to be the case.  It should be the national government who should provide leadership and vision.  Like I mentioned a few weeks back, it seems we’re like a bee who keeps slamming into a glass door trying to get out of the room, instead of trying to find the open window. The country can do better.  The country should do better.  Not for us older folks, but for our children.  They deserve better.  We owe it to them that things must improve. Stay Healthy.  Wear a Mask Properly.  Demand what we deserve. Nothing less than a better plan and hopefully, a better life for all.