THE year 2020 marks the shift in the concerns of both local and national communities. The calamities and disasters experienced during the first two months highlighted by the entry of 3 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country pushed people to ask, “Are we safe?”
All of a sudden even diehard Duterte supporters question the president’s lack of immediate response on preventing a possible virus outbreak. This is an issue where the welfare of the majority cannot be put on second priority over international relations.
When it comes to safety, people are now more vocal in expressing their disappointments against the government putting both local and national officials on their toes on how to better communicate to the public that they are on top of things. This new form of public uproar is an indicator of a new level of political maturity, a sign that the majority are not blind flowers at all.
The intensity of public outcry for better preventive measures in dealing with the novel coronavirus should not be underestimated. Yes, they are all only on social media, but if this is not handled well, it can easily escalate into a unified force that will hurt this administration.
As with other concerns such as the visiting forces agreement (VFA) and the clearing of roads, those are forgivable issues whatever direction the administration takes. But when it comes to clear and present danger such as a virus outbreak, the people clamor for nothing less than a decisive move to secure our lives – basic instinct.
Come to think of it, the public uproar on social media is nothing short of a revolutionary impulse. The mass wearing of masks in public however minimal its preventive effect indicates majority’s lack of trust in the system to secure the community. Such level of panic is only seen in our country however worldwide the issue may be.
This response represents a significant break from the former “Dilawan versus Dutertard” kind of polarized nation. People now challenge key officials whoever they are and whichever side they belong to put Filipinos first.
There is an urgency for the administration to pacify the population. It may involve unpopular calls that may sever our relationships with neighboring countries. What are being done now both in Congress and in the executive department are surely not enough. Given the indecision and dillydallying of senators, cabinet members and even the president showed lack of foresight and internal reflection.
From the looks of it, the public has no plans of retracting from its uproar and its gaining momentum. This is where the new break in political maturity is born, when people collectively call out the government to be decisive on their behalf and for the people’s welfare. The polarized community has seen a common ground and a common demand, this is dangerous to those who profit from a divided nation.
Will the public uproar be heard? Of course, it will. History will tell us over and over again that the voice of the people are always heard by any means necessary. But how the incumbent officials respond to such call will determine which side they will be after a new normal is reached.