QUEZON CITY - In the first of the series of comprehensive reports published by the Ateneo School of Government, political and social development experts agree that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration failed to provide a more responsive approach to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In an interview for the Duterte at 5: the Duterte Administration by the Numbers in-depth reports, Political Science Professor Carmel Abao pointed out that the Duterte administration failed to meet its own targets.
“Last year, I think that was June or July of 2020. Sinabi na ng presidente na by December, back to normal na tayo. Kaso imbes na maging back to normal tayo, lumala iyong sitwasyon. Hindi naman natin na-flatten ‘yung curve,” Abao said.
“Ang response ng gobyerno ay mababaw, magulo, [at] mabagal. Hindi na-konekta na ang pandemya ay primarily health problem.”
Abao also noted that the government saw the health crisis as a law and order problem.
“You [can] see this in their choice of managers and leaders. They have chosen military generals. Sana man lang mas marami iyong mga doktor at mga health specialists dahil pandemya,” Abao explained.
“Aside from being a health problem, it is a social mobilization problem. How do you get people to comply? It is a communication problem. It is also an economic problem,” she further stated.
Meanwhile, Sociologist and Development Studies Professor Jayeel Cornelio also noted that the government’s abrupt decisions did not give enough time for people to prepare.
“Number one, militarized na nga ‘yung response. Tapos number two, napakabilis pa. Just like that, nag-lockdown so iyong mga negosyo, iyong mga nagta-trabaho, walang wiggle room to maneuver and to adjust. Kapag may gusto tayong gawin, na pagbabago sa ating komunidad o sa ating lipunan, kailangan inihahanda natin yung mga tao. Hindi pwedeng ora-orada,” Cornelio explained.
Cornelio recognized the passage of the Bayanihan Laws as an attempt for the government to help those who are greatly affected by the pandemic- the poorest of the poor and the health workers.
He, however, pointed out that the government failed to communicate its plans to the public well.
“Parang magsasalita si president sa kanyang presscon, na walang kinalaman sa Covid. At kung may kinalaman sa Covid, magulo naman iyong mensahe. Tapos ipapaliwanag iyon kinabukasan ng spokesperson, tapos magsasalita iyong DOH, iba-iba rin ang sinasabi. Kung pangit ang communication strategy, isipin niyo na lang iyong impact nito sa mga ordinaryong tao na naghahanap ng kasiguraduhan sa panahon na walang kasiguraduhan.” Cornelio said.
For Abao, there was not enough financial aid for those in need.
“Kahit papaano, ang ayuda may umabot sa baba. Pero malamang hindi lahat ng nangangailangan ng ayuda ay naabot. Kasi kung totoong lahat ay naabot, bakit ang haba ng pila sa mga community pantry. Kaya may pangangailangan ng pantry kasi ang dami pang hindi naaabot ng gobyerno. we cannot ignore this kind of context.” Abao explained.
While pandemic played a huge part in the worsening poverty situation in the country, Cornelio also explained that better preparation on the side of the government could have cushioned the impact of the health crisis.
“Halimbawa, naihanda sana yung ating mga small and medium enterprises at mga businesses. Yung hindi aga-agaran na biglang nagsara ng ekonomiya. Tapos makikita din naman natin na yung ayuda, hindi naman ganoon ka generous at hindi yun even para sa lahat ng tao. Maraming ordinaryong manggagawa gusto magtrabaho, pero hindi naihanda pati yung basic public transportation.”
“Bagamat, yes, normal, valid na ito ay bunga ng pandemya, hindi naman valid na sabihin na wala ng pananagutan ang mga policy makers natin at ang ating executive,” Cornelio said.
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