Editorial: Domino effect

Editorial: Domino effect

AS EARLY as now we are seeing how the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is affecting the economic aspect of the community we are in.

Earlier this week, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cancelled several events of the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw. This includes most of the crowd drawing events like the Parada Dabawenyo, Pasiugdang Pagsaulog, Reyna Dabawenya, and Ginoong Davao, among others.

Days later, Sunrise Events, Incorporated (SEI) and the City Government of Davao have decided to postpone the 3rd Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao 2020 from March 22 to May 1.

Also, the Department of Education (DepEd) has released Memorandum 15, s. 2020 suspending off-campus activities for February as it ensures the health and safety of the students. This resulted to the suspension of the annual Junior-Senior Promenade (JS Prom), a much-awaited event among high school students.

The suspension or the postponement of these events, together with other events not mentioned in the news, is causing a domino effect in the local economy. While this may dampen the mood of the participants of the event, those who are gravely affected are the suppliers of these events.

These suppliers are doing their best to make ends meet to be able to put food on their table for their families and the family of those working for them. For example, an event organizer not only works with a team of competent individuals to manage an event. He or she also works with a team of sound technicians, people to man the lights, and people to design the venue. There is also the banquet staff of the caterer, drivers to pick up and drop off some delegates, and for some, a security team.

Those who are not directly involved in the events like food establishments and hotels are also greatly affected. For example, the postponement of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 may have freed rooms in many hotels in the city for March. Also affected are establishments who have prepared Araw ng Dabaw-related promos and those who are hoping to cash in with the prom fever.

Taxi drivers may have also been affected as people now prefer to be at the safety of their homes instead of going to crowded places like tourist attractions or the malls.

It is sad to note the domino effect this has on the different industries affected by the Covid-19.

While the Philippine government and the local government unit implement measures to ensure the safety of everyone, we question if drastic measures like this is necessary. However, it is also better to be safe than sorry. We are hoping that the government will also exert effort in helping the affected industries get back on their feet once the Covid-19 storm settles.

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