The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is not an overnight phenomenon. It is an accident waiting to happen, with some local government units partly to blame.
Over a year into various forms of lockdown, a majority of the Filipinos have learned to live with the coronavirus. They religiously wore face masks and face shields, practiced social distancing, washed their hands frequently, and shunned many of their previous routines in order to avoid COVID-19. Others worked from home.
The working class, or those who have no choice but to report physically to their workplaces, followed the health protocols mandated by authorities to survive and feed their families. They are the few lucky ones who have kept their jobs and stayed healthy despite the challenges.
But the spike in COVID-19 cases is threatening the interest of the working class and their only livelihood. Metro Manila mayors, for instance, have imposed longer curfew hours in their attempt to stem the tide of rising COVID-19 cases in the capital region. Selective lockdowns, longer curfew hours a stay-at-home order for all children are now being implemented to contain the virus spread.
Majority of the Metro Manila mayors, however, should be held accountable for the virus spike. Local executives down to the barangay tanods were lax in enforcing the health protocols that many workers seriously followed.
Underage children can be seen roaming the streets of Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, San Juan, Mandaluyong and the other urban capitals day in and day out right under the noses of barangay officials and policemen during the lockdown period. Many violated the health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and social distancing, and yet barangay authorities and the local police ignored the infraction.
The working class will suffer much from the new restrictions and the extended curfew ordered by Metro Manila mayors. Longer curfew hours mean reduced working hours in restaurants and malls, and fewer customers. These, in turn, will mean less sales and possibly retrenchment for some of the crews and staff of restaurants and other retail outlets.
Had some of LGUs done their job in curbing the infection over the past 12 months, they would have generated jobs and alleviated the plight of their poorer constituents.