LIFT FOR THE ECONOMY, LIFT FOR THE PEOPLE The COVID-19 had given a huge impact into the economy of the Philippines. With few businesses and companies open, there are only few people who can earn a living during the pandemic. But there are still places which shows no record or traces of the virus like Apayao and Zamboanga Del Norte. Apparently, Ilocos Norte had also been COVID-free since the recovery of the two confirmed cases way back in April 13, making the province COVID-free for more than a month by now. This concludes that it is possibly safe to lift the quarantines in low risk areas. While in Quarantine, various businesses had been forced to close for the safety of everyone. This had put the people in a tight spot; there are no jobs, no income, and limited resources for goods. Without jobs, people are forced to wait for the goods given by the Government or other sponsors. But some people have a huge family, and the goods can barely sustain their needs. When the quarantine in lifted, jobs will be available and people can earn a living again. This is a huge trial for the country, there are places with high risk and low risk. The high risk can continue with the quarantine in their area, otherwise, the low risk areas can do their part by helping revitalize their lost in the society. Aside from the huge economic lost, there is also the limited resources. We must admit that Philippines is really not the apparent country who can last for so long under a quarantine. The Government have to sustain the needs of the people by giving them the supports they needs. There’ll be a time that there will be insufficient goods to sustain the needs of the people with such limited resources. We have to be frank that there is a huge lost if every area in the country is still in quarantine. Some of the low risk places must be lifted from the quarantine in order to help those areas that are still in quarantine. If the MECQ is lifted, there’d be lesser areas to support, and the lifted areas can help in the production of goods. The thing we could do to help the Government is by not being a coward; there are various capabilities of a province which can give a huge help in boosting the economy. Providing goods for areas that have clearly no signs of risks is just a waste of time since they can already help themselves if they were allowed to do so; if they can help, they should help. One must not limit the capabilities of the other. Some provinces had made outstanding competitiveness during this pandemic; example is the province of Ilocos Norte. It had been proven to be productive even during this pandemic. In reports, they’ve said that the province had accumulated more than enough resources to sustain the needs of their people. The outstanding performance of the province had proven that even in a crisis, they can be productive because they have to keep going on with their progress. Ilocos Norte had always been competitive and it really deserves a lift from the quarantine. Once the MECQ is lifted, the province will instantly stand freely like before and become able to help stabilize the economy. Within the problems rises the excellence, and Ilocos Norte had really proven such excellence; amidst the pandemic, they are able to withstand the threat. People keep seeing the negative impact of the pandemic, but some still stands amidst the pandemic. Nevertheless, Ilocos Norte is not the only province that made an outstanding performance that deserves the lifting of their quarantines; there are also other provinces like Apayao, Aurora. Batanes, Camarines Norte, Capiz, Davao Occidental and more. If these provinces are lifted from the quarantine, the resources of goods will be wider and the needs of the people under quarantine will receive more than enough goods to sustain their needs. The pandemic had given threat to the livelihood of many. Some places faces huge threats, while others faces not a single threat. This means that there are more than enough to help in bringing back the society. This pandemic had caused a huge downfall, but we must never let it weight us down. If you can’t stand on both feet, stand with your arms; the society may not be able to show its full potential in this crisis, but it still have areas that are unaffected and it is its own prowess to utilize it. There’ll be no trials that you may remain unscarred; just like how we have to lift the quarantine in the low risk areas to help the high risk areas. In order to bring back a society, bring it back little by little; just like what every honorable teacher would say – a small step would do.
