EVERYBODY looks forward to the further easing of quarantine status in Bacolod; many believe and pray that the city would soon be back to “new” normal. Well, I am with you.
Reality check however points that the whole relief process to “new” normal seems not easy. It does not transform mechanically.
If it is not rightly directed and its protocols not well enforced by the local government, and the citizens do not cooperate good enough, the city’s march to “new” normal faces the risk of backsliding.
The city government has so far failed in providing right direction and good enforcement, and some citizens for non-cooperation.
A classic example are the videos going viral online about a partying last Friday evening in a local entertainment hub with a big number of partygoers not wearing facemasks, no faceshield, no physical distancing, and many drinking and behaving rather “wild”.
More than the obvious violation of protocols by partygoers and the owner of the bar or bars, was the apparent absence of concerned enforcers of quarantine protocols. Was there a permit for the bar to allow such party? Where were the barangay officials and the PNP, whose one station happens to be just at the back of the entertainment hub, during the event, whose task is supposed to monitor and enforce protocols?
Not only that, for almost a month now, city bars, restos, and even side street foodstalls, have been swarmed by revelers, beer drinkers, and fun seekers – this despite the on going curfew and liquor ban set by GCQ protocols. I have witnessed myself how some of these places were just ignored by the passing barangay officials and police mobile teams.
Having entertainment industry as next to basic food retail and trade in local economy, it is not surprising that dining, alcohol drinking, partying and other forms of dynamic night life – are the most alive and dominant business in the evening. It has its deep roots in the hedonistic culture of the local landed elites which likewise shaped their “tinawo” and “sulogoon” (workers and slaves).
Daytime is problematic as well. Big crowds and other people convergences, ignored by obviously unmindful protocol enforcers - are common scenes in markets, commercial centers, jeepney terminals, and along stretches of streets.
I have no argument against businesses opening up; that’s important for local economic recovery, and to prevent the deepening of socio economic crisis caused by Covid.
My basic point is for the local government to provide some sound development direction with corresponding financial and technical support, and in ways that will strengthen and expand food and retail industry of local businesses especially the MSMEs, production and valued added products of small agricultural producers, and the marketing -trading businesses.
Simultaneous with these, local government should find ways to generate and support livelihood and other income generating programs for the thousands of displaced workers and families, like community food production, work for food, emergency manpower services, online services, and local fabrication shops for distressed skilled workers and OFWs.
Local businesses and industries will become vibrant when most of the people have jobs and other basic sources of income. Any intervention that is short of it, will only perpetuate and deepen the current crisis.
Alongside with economic interventions, the local government should be diligent in the enforcement of protocols, without undermining efforts to recover local businesses and industries.
Night life should be allowed but less crowding, partying, irritating sounds, but the police and barangay officials should be directed to do round the clock monitoring and enforcement works. Businesses that commit blatant violations and disregard for health safety of others should have their business licenses revoked immediately, after one or two warnings.
Barangay and PNP teams should also make active rounds during day time in markets, terminals, and commercial establishments, to monitor and prevent people from unnecessary crowding. They should likewise make mobile public paging to regularly remind people of health protocols.
There are more that the local government can do, so long as it is serious and mindful of public interests, and not for any vested political agenda.
In the end, either direction or enforcement alone is not enough. Both should be present, well played, and orchestrated where people give their utmost cooperation and support.