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MULA SA PATNUGOT Sa ngalan ng mga bumubuo ng Lupon, aming inihahandog ang ikatlong isyu ng INScapes. Punó ng pagsubok ang taóng 2021 para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino. Marami ang nawalan ng buhay at hanapbuhay habang itinaya ng ating mga frontliners ang kanilang buhay upang suungin ang hagupit ng pandemya. Nawa’y ngayong pagsapit ng Kapaskuhan, hindi tayo makalimot sa mga nagsikripisyo at magkaisa tayo sa pagpapanagot sa rehimeng Duterte.

Punong Patnugot Lemuel Deinla Kawaksing Patnugot Franchesca Terese Salvador Mga Manunuri Nathaniel Molina Arianne Naranjo Gabbie Santos Janielle Villamera Renato Bolo III Kathryn Suacillo Gracelle Tungbaban JM Berdera Zanti Alfonzo Gayares Mark John Tayamora Kim Arianne Zarzua Leandro Piga Lars Michaelson Salamante Glen Christian Tacasa Ram Bernal Symon dela Cruz Matthew Adapon Ara Lorico

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairperson Kirsten Mansilungan Secretary-General Kristine Rosarda Nationalist Studies Program Committee Head Justin Firmalo People’s Education Committee Head Trina Jarilla Research & Editorial Committee Head Lemuel Deinla Information dissemination Committee Head Lloyd Evangelista Membership Committee Head Heather Andres

Layout Editors Lloyd Evangelista Ara Lorico

Management Committee Head Karl Francisco

Cover Credits Robert Owen Ganado

Data Committee Head Janielle Villamera

CONTRIBUTORS 2

Ang araw ng katwiran ay sisikat din.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Ang Pilipinas bilang Sementeryo 3 Kandidato 5 Mga Tanaga’t Haraya sa Panahon ng Pandemya 9 Decameron December 11 The Spaghetti Song 13 Walang Pasko 15 Vertreten 17 Ang Hindi Mababalam na Pangitain sa Kalye Petronia 21 Ambag 23 Intellectual Arrogance 25 San Ipapanganak si Kristo Ngayon 29 Leche Buena 31 Petrifying Angle 1

33 Palay ang Tanim, Bala ang Ani 35 Gruesome Echoes 37 Kasalo 39 Pulang Hapunan 41 Kalampag sa Hapag ng Habag 45 Nakakahawang Himig 49 Last Supper 51 Sa Kanilang Pagdiriwang ay aking Ginugunita 53 Biyaheng Ikot 55 Noche Buena Nilang Mahal 57 Bisperas 59 Women (in)Securities and the Pandemic 69 The King’s Reign of Terror:Duterte’s Punitive Enforcement of Health Protocols 77 Ang Nanay Kong Nurse 2

Hindi tahimik ang mga bangkay. Hindi nila suot-suot ang mga piring mula sa telang hinabi mismo ng kanilang kamay. Mas lalong hindi tikom ang kanilang kaluluwa. Hindi sila nagtatago sa dilim at minamahal ito dahil mas payapa. Hindi nila kayang gutumin ang sarili para sa kakarampot na pwesto doon sa kama. Kung nagsasalita lamang ang mga bangkay, katakuttakot ang kahahantungan. Ngunit alin ba ang mas dapat pangambahan: ang mga bangkay na itinakwil sa lupa o ang mga kalamnan nating giniginaw na? Hindi aksidente ang inhustisya.

Sabado ngayon, tulad ng nakasanayan Bibili ako ng lútong ulam sa karinderya, Kung saan tayo unang nagkakilala Tandâ ko pa; Paborito mo ang Adobo Na walang Laurel dahil pangit ‘kamo ang lasa Ayaw mo rin ng Sibuyas sa Tortang Talong Kahit na nilalantakan mo ‘yon sa sawsawan ng isaw. Ayaw mo rin ng kanin na malatâ Dahil sabi mo malayo pa ang botohan At hindi ka pa handa kung sino ang iluluklok Para manungkulan, Mahirap nga namang mamilì Kapag nagkalat ang mga Tarpaulin sa daan, Kapag ginagawang pabango ang noodles at ‘de lata Pati na rin ang dilaw na papel na nakasobre pa. Sa lansangan; Kung saan mo ‘ko inabutan ng nakasupot na kendi Doon nakasulat ang pangalan mo’t retratong nakatawa – Isa ka rin palá sa kanila.

“Patient X” “Namatay si Mang Juan ‘Sinilid sa lalágyan ‘Di na pinaglamayan Kaawaawa naman.”

“Copit-19” “Ang laro ay lokohan Tayá ang sambayanan Na’san nanunungkulan? Inubos pati kaban.”

“Positibo” “Isasáama ko nalang Ang sarili sa bílang At isaalang-alang Kanilang kaligtasan.”

“Ayuda” “Nagmalasakit si Gob Pera’y pinagkaloob Iba ang nagpamudmod Kaya’t parang napudpod.

Inside our days and nights, we endured fear ‘til December. With the crisp carols gone, children muted by masks, face shields, and fascism, we now brace this first. Holidays so unholy, even the city heights cannot bear the shining. Holidays so melancholic, even the towns cannot bear the darkness. Outside us: lay the arc. Let us weave together our loss and longing into one. This is the year we don’t want to remember, but can’t forget. Look back soon; but now light up for the dead.

Sinindihan ko ang kandila, Maliit na ningas ang nagpailaw. Dala ang ispageti at balita Sa bagong himlayan ni Ate sa ibabaw.

Sapagkat pati ang bala Ay kailan ma’y ‘di mas matalas Sa tingga ng lapis At ‘di mabubura ng pulbura Ang, sa mga papel, ay nakamarka Itong mga lata ng pintura Ay ‘di matatapon, matutumba Ng mga asul na kalasag nila Ang ating sama-samang inukit Sa mga tulay, pader, at kalsada Ay ‘di kukupas, ‘di mabubura Kaya hanggang sa buwan ng Disyembre Pluma at pinsel ay tangan-tangan Dahil tuloy ang pang aalipin ng estado Walang paskong ginugunita ang mga berdugo

Ilang gabing ako’y dinalaw ng pangláw; sa aking lamesa, tahimik ang lungsód. May sariling batas ang dilim: ’sang bákod ng mga bagahe’t multong nakapákaw. Liberasyon, ikaw na ba ’yang sumingáw na puting entidad na humahalughóg? Ilang gabing ako’y dinalaw ng pangláw; sa aking lamesa, tahimik ang lungsód. Nakamata pa rin ang ginto na buwán, may kung ano siyang ipinapaarók. Mahaba ’tong gabi bago nga sumábog ang araw sa rabaw ng lunang kay súkal: sa aking lamesa, tahimik ang lungsód.

Una kong nakita’y naghugas ng kamáy ang Bosyong ang taglay ay siyam na punyál, bakal na gulugod at matang hugis buwán na kung tititiga’y pawang sa pumánaw; pagkuwa’y kanya ngang ipinagdiinán na si Ka Echanis ay isang tulisán; at sa unang linggo, sa yaong kalyehón, patayong nilitis sa gitna ng dilím: tahimik, mausok, at medyo maulán habang ang Bosyo nga’y nasa kanyang silyón. At nang lumaon nga’y kanilang ginámit ang isang makapal at mahabang lúbid: ilalagay nila at ipipilípit una ay sa leeg, tapos sa balíkat, saka hihigpitan hanggang sa kumúpsit ang hangin sa dugo’t ugat na sumábog, hanggat ang init nga’y di inuugáog ang bundok ng datos sa loob ng útak; uulitin ito nang paulit-úlit.

Subalit nabigo ang patigang matón, aywan at sa inis, dinukot ang talím saka itinarak at dagling sinundán ng higit tatlumpung saksak sa likurán ang matandang bihag na kuno’y salarí’t isa sa maraming gerilyang nanambáng: Lucena, isang trak ang pinagbabaríl at pinaglilimas ang pistola’t karbín; pagkuwa’y dalawang putok ang sumigáw: nabiyak ang bungo’t utak ay nahimáy. Ako ay nagalit, tinanong ang Apó “Bakit po ganito ang tao sa mundó?” paglao’y sumagot umangil ang bukó.

“H’wag kang mag-alala’t mangamba sa tákot, kanyang naisalin sa araro’t kárit ang kapangyarihang gigiba’t lulúpig sa kaniyang mata at bakal na tíkas. H’wag kang mag-alala’t mangamba sa tákot, ang dalawang sungay niya’y matutúpok nitong kayumanggi’t libagin na bísig na yari sa apoy: buhay, gumagáod kinukubkob pati yaong alipóres.” 2020

ambag by Chelsey Lansang

Intellectual Arrogance by Mark Ernest Famatigan

San Ipapanganak si Kristo Ngayon 25

by Kej Andres

Leche Buena by Shirbert T. Villanueva

Petrifying Angle by David Oriño

Palay ang Tanim, Bala ang Ani by Cygel Gibson Tegon

Gruesome Echoes by David Oriño

Kasalo

by Ruen Zapanta

Pulang Hapunan by Kris Lujein D. Varon

Sa muling pasasalo-salo ng mga dumadalo sa taunang piging na nagkakaisang hiling ng bawat miyembro ng pamilya, ang kumpletong mapunan ang mga silya. Ngunit kaiba ito sa lahat ng piging dahil ngayo’y mayroon na silang inilibing; may nabakante ng mga silya, mga puwang sa kanilang mga pamilya na hindi na muling mapupunan bunga ng kapalpakan ng pamahalaan. Kung titingnan ang mga hapag mararamdaman ang pagkahabag, ang makukulay na salad hindi na mailahad; ang tanging mga nakahain mga putaheng may sinasalamin.

Dinuguan Dumaloy ang itim sa sabaw kasabay ang pagkatuyo ng dugo sa kamay ng mga halimaw; nilunod ang diwa ng paskong kulay pula sa dagsa ng mga alaala ng mga ninakawan ng buhay, hanap ng kanilang pamilya’y karamay. Papaitan Ngunit hindi kailanman matatabunan ng kahit anong minatamis ang kamatayan na patuloy na nagdudulot ng pait hanggang hindi nabibigyang katarungan ang sinapit ng kanilang mga minamahal bunga ng paghahari ng mga halang ang bituka’t hangal.

Bibingka Bibingihin ka sa katahimikan ng mga nagbubulag-bulagan sa mga kapabayaan at kamalian subalit babasagin ito ng malalakas na kalampag ng mga gutom sa hustiya na nakadulog sa hapag ng habag. Hamon Kaya ang hamon na nakahai’y naiiba sa nakasanayang handa pagkayari ng samba sapagkat ito ay hamon sa mga nakakasaksi upang ang mga sanhi ng dinuguan at papaita’y iwaksi, patuloy na mangalampag sa hapag ng habag kumilos para matuldukan na ang sa karapatang pantao’y lumalabag.

Ayan na naman mga ‘nak ng tupa, Mga batang ligaw na bala Pumapatrolya t’wing dapit-hapon Bubulabog para sa barya’t polvoron. Sintonadong mga boses at mga madudungis na mukha Gabi-gabi’y umaalingawngaw at pumaparada, Pinagbubuksan naman ni nanay sabay sigaw, “M a g s i l a y a s k a y o,

w a l a n g P a s k o’t A g u i n a l d o d i t o.” “Wala pong tao. Sirena ng ambulansya iyon ‘nay. May covid po. Pasok na kayo,” sabi ko nang malumanay. ___________

Galit, takot, at kabaliwan ang himig na namumuo Sa t’wing inaalala ko ang sinapit ng nanay kong may sakit sa isip. Sa labas, lumagpas lamang ng isang minuto ‘di lang kape ang naiuwi kundi ala-ala’t marka ng abuso. Ayan na naman mga ‘nak ng tupa, Mga batang ligaw na bala Pumapatrolya t’wing dapit-hapon Bubulabog para sa barya’t polvoron. “L u m a y a s k a y o, w a l a n g p a s k o,” sigaw ko. Inay, kain na po tayo ng pangamba. Galit naman po ang panulak. Kahit sa litrato, maganda ka pa rin. Iihipan ko na po ang k a n d i l a. Ako’y papunta na. 47

Hindi ka na muling mag-iisa.

isasakripisyo na naman ba para sa isang gabi ng kasiyahan, hungkag na kasaganaan, ang ilang araw sanang laman-tiyan na siyang di pa rin sasapat upang maabot ang pamantayan?

Tuwing nagdiriwang sila’y aking ginugunita Nagniningning na kalangita’y nanganganak ng maraming tala Dagungdong ng tambol kahit saan Ang lahat ay nagtataluna’t naghihiyawan Tuwing nagdiriwang sila’y aking ginugunita Mga kahilinga’y malakas na winiwika Na ang aming pamilya’y iisa’t manatiling nakakapit-bisig At ang aming tahananang salat man sa kahusayan ng pagkakayari ay manatiling nakatindig Tuwing nagdiriwang sila’y aking ginugunita Ang dahilan ng paglisan mula sa kung saan ipinunla Kung sa kanila’y madalang man ngunit laging kapistahan Samantalang sa amin, madalas nga’t siya namang nagbabadyang katuldukan Tuwing nagdiriwang sila’y aking ginugunita Ang lamig ng hangin ngayo’y lamig ng pagkaulila Ang init ng mga paputok ngayo’y pagbabalik-tanaw sa init ng natutupok na kagubatan at ng aming pamayanan At sa pagtigil ng kasiyahan ay malimutan ko na sana ang sinapit na karimlan sa kamay ng pamahalaan.

Nang nagsimula ang pandemya sa bansa, ang kagyat na tugon ng gobyernoay i-lockdown ang buong Kamaynilaan. Apektado ang mga negosyo, mga eskuwelahan, at mga hanapbuhay lalo na sa sektor ng transportasyon mapapribado man o mapapubliko. Isa si Mang Tano sa libo-libong natigil ang hanapbuhay bilang drayber. ”Mang Tano, naikarga na ang lahat ng gamit sa loob. Aalis na po tayo. Baka mahuli tayo sa event.’’ ‘’Salamat sa pagkakataong ito. Meron na kahit kaunting panggastos. Ilang buwan na kaming walang pasada dahil sa COVID-19. Walang nakakaalam kung kailan kami makakabalik.’’ Hindi mahulugang karayom ang mga tao nang dumating sa UP ang van nina Mang Tano na galing sa Sitio San Roque - isang komunidad na sakop ng Lungsod ng Quezon na may nakaambang pag-demolish sa mga kabahayan para sa isang “joint venture development project” ng National Housing Authority at Ayala Corporation. ‘’Ibaba na ang mga gamit, nariyan na ang grupo ng mga nagmamartsa papalapit na sa Oblation,’’ utos ng isang binata Habang abala ang lahat sa pagkuha ng mga gamit mula sa van, biglang may humawak sa kamay ni Mang Tano para magmano. ‘’Eman anak, bakit ka nandito?’Meron ka bang deliver dito?’’ Gulat ang ama nang makita ang anak. ‘’Wala po. Nandito po kami ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho na taga-Sitio rin para iprotesta ‘yong planong demolisyon sa atin.’Nasa pandemya tayo, pero mas inuuna pa ang sinasabi nilang development kapalit ng ilang libong pamilyang mawawalan ng tahanan,’’ ang sagot ni Eman. Isang nakakasulasok na usok galing sa tear gas ang bumagsak sa paanan ng mag-ama. At sunod-sunod na putok ang kanilang narinig habang balot sa usok ang paligid. Nagtakbuhan ang mga tao palayo sa pinanggalingan ng mga putok. Isang lalaki ang bumagsak sa paanan ni Mang Tano. ‘’Eman, anak! Bakit ka may dugo? Eman, gising! Eman, gising! Uuwi na tayo!’’ Nagkalat ang mga duguang tsinelas at mga sira-sirang placard. Papalayong buhat ni Mang Tano si Eman. Palubog na ang araw. Naghihintay si Aling Amelia sa pag-uwi ng mag-ama.

noche buena nilang mahal ni Leo Dilay

Kay sigla ng gabi, Kay saya namin Nagluto ang dakilang alalay ng manok na tinola Sa palasyo ng tatay ay mayro’ng litsonan pa Ang bawat kawatan ay may handang iba’t-iba. Kami na, giliw, ang magsasalo Mayro’n na kaming ninakaw na tinapay at keso ‘Di ba Noche Buena sa gabing ito. At bukas ay ganito ulit, Pasko man at sa susunod pang anim na taon.

bisperas ni Kris Lujein Varon

At sa dalawang taon, Noche buena’y ayuno. Lamesa’y naging punso, Ng nadusta’t kinulong. Wala nang maihain Ang ulam ng halimaw. Sarili’y pinakain, Sa munting bulalakaw.

It has been well-established that disasters, including a pandemic, put women in a more vulnerable position in society1. During the lockdown, hundreds of researches led us to conclude that the pandemic created a wider gap between men and women in employment, health care benefits, peace and security, and mental wellness2. Citizens and critics have expected that the national government, the institution that they know should weather them through storms, would at least rely on hard facts and evidence-based science and gender-responsive strategies to deal with something as grand and disastrous as a pandemic. However, 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) was signed, women still find themselves lost at a crossroads and still struggling to be heard and seen primarily in a country with a misogynistic and macho-feudal president like Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s pandemic response was simple: the military should take charge; men should take control. In March 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., a retired military man, as the country’s national policy’s chief implementer against Covid-193.

Galvez shall “ensure strict compliance and adherence of both the public and private sector to guidelines and protocols issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.” Aside from having the military take over a health crisis, it should be noted that the lack of women members in the IATF did not help in forwarding genderresponsive strategies in the health guidelines and protocols. Except for Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat and Education Secretary Leonor Briones, women are underrepresented in the cabinet and definitely, voiceless. Right from the beginning, the Duterte administration perpetuated a wide gender gap in decision-making. It also did not include a guarantee for genderequal representation in creating the National Task Force against COVID-194. When the entire Luzon was placed under quarantine, the Filipino nation was caught off guard, and women were in a precarious position. What they hoped to be a 2-week lockdown became the longest-running lockdown in the world. Many industries and sectors were advised to shift to alternative working arrangements such as work60

Women are underrepresented in Duterte’s cabinet meetings. Photo from GMA News.

from-home, reduced work hours, rotating shifts, etc5. Coincidentally, the industries that were unable to shift to such modes of work were industries where women are highly represented, which included the informal economy, the hospitality and management sector, the retail, manufacturing, and tourism industries6. In the recent survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in October 2020, it was reported that the Philippines’ unemployment rate was at 8.7% or equivalent to around 3.8 million jobless Filipinos7. However, in the National Capital Region (NCR), the unemployment rate was at 12.4%. 61

Out of the 43.6 M Filipinos in the labor force, the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for men was at 72.3%, while it was only 45% for women. Employment rates for men were also higher at 91.3%, while it was 91.1% for women. It was only at the end of March 2020 when the government rolled out a plan to provide financial assistance to vulnerable Filipinos who were greatly affected by the pandemic. The Congress drafted and approved Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which provided funding to the social amelioration program (SAP). While the Joint Memorandum Circular No.

1, s. 2020 or the Special Guideline for the SAP expressly stated that it would be gender-responsive and genderinclusive, its planned programs did not live to the standard. The emergency subsidy program (ESP) or ‘ayuda’ amounting to Php5000 to Php8000 was not enough for the target beneficiaries. On top of that, the distribution of aid was significantly delayed and questionable. The social amelioration programs also included distributing food and non-food items to households highlyaffected by the lockdown. However, feminine hygiene products, infant food and needs were not considered as essential relief goods8. The social

amelioration program also did not provide the means to help parents with the extra burden of caring for their children and additional household responsibilities. No consideration was made for providing child support benefits and allowances. The extreme prolongation of the lockdown meant that problems for women just kept on compounding and compounding. Filipino women, especially those who are the leaders of their households, were left to fend for themselves. On the other hand, the OFW sector where women form a majority of, only received a measly single payout of Php10,000 financial aid from the government.

International Women’s Day mobilization. Photo from Reuters.

Those who repatriated back to the Philippines got stranded in halfway houses and hotels for weeks because of delays in the processing of RT-PCR results and the government’s failure to anticipate the enormous volume of returning OFWs10,11. The government’s incoherent policies and the ensuing economic recession led some women, and more alarmingly, young girls, to sell their bodies to get them through everyday expenses. There have also been reported cases of students selling explicit photos and videos online and even engaging in prostitution to afford laptops and other learning tools12,13,14. A surge in signups

Infographic from Sugarbook 63

among young Filipino women in the sugar dating platform, Sugarbook, was recorded at the height of the lockdown15. OnlyFans, a popular site where people can earn money by selling nude content, saw the number of its users and content creators drastically increase during the pandemic16. The pandemic did not only cause distress to the students but the teachers as well. Teachers, who are mostly women and mothers too, were burdened with creating and delivering modules, transitioning to online classes, and orienting parents on how to teach their children at home17. The Department of Education’s mantra of “no student left

behind” did not resonate well with the pandemic when the Department failed to recognize the need to increase the annual teaching allowance of teachers to compensate for the cost of internet connectivity and module printing. Teachers and school administrators have launched different donation drives to raise money for printers, inks, bond papers, and internet load. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) demands to increase the Php3000 to Php5000 for teachers’ expenses for distance education had fallen to the deaf ears of DepEd18. The government thought that the shift to distant learning and online modules was a safer option for students and teachers alike. However, according to the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines rose by 264.6% or a total of 202,605 more reports during the lockdown compared to the number of cases reported in 201919. Sexual exploitation and abuse also happen to adults, especially to adult women. The United Nations (UN) even tagged violence against women as a

“shadow pandemic.” The UP Population Institute estimated that by the end of 2020, “there will be an estimated 839,000 women who are married or who have been married at least once in their lives who would experience GBV during this pandemic.”20 To add fuel to the fire, another problem that the Duterte administration failed to address is the number of unplanned pregnancies. The Commission on Population and Development or POPCOM said that “the long-term lockdowns and disrupted family planning services due to the pandemic may lead to a rise in unplanned pregnancies and cause the population to swell at 111.1 million in 2021.”21 As if the pandemic is not disastrous enough for women and Filipinos in general, the Duterte administration proves to be a strong contender. This administration’s lack of priority and urgency in dealing with the health crisis is a disaster in itself. The Duterte administration also chose to intensify its crackdown on activists and critics during a pandemic, and it has directly affected women and mothers like Reina Mae Nasino and Amanda Echanis. Although Duterte’s crackdown on 64

Reina Mae Nasino grieves for her child while surrounded by heavilyarmed police. Photo from Altermidya.

activists is not focused on capturing women, women are still in much more distress. Reina Mae Nasino was an activist and political prisoner who was accused of trumped-up charges22. When she was imprisoned, she was also pregnant with her child, baby River. After giving birth, she was separated from her child, who soon died23. Baby River’s death was because the state deprived her of motherly care and attention. Reina Mae Nasino was only given three days by the court to grieve for her dead child in a move so cruel24. During the procession to the cemetery, the police sped up the hearse, almost 65

snatching baby River’s dead remains25. The whole incident was a heartless and evil projection of macho-feudal domination and fascism. This scenario was repeated when Amanda Echanis, daughter of slain activist Randy Echanis, was also separated from her newborn baby26. The physical, socio-economic, and psychological detrimental effects of the pandemic on women are all established and backed up by research and sciencebased facts. All the government has to do is turn to credible sources and legitimate claims. The Duterte administration’s failure to recognize the

merits of gender-sensitive policies and strategies in dealing with a health crisis resulted in a pandemic response that did not only sidelined women but also actively hurt them. Our call is for the government to create avenues for women’s participation and representation in decision-making bodies. Our call is to reiterate that gender-blind policies can do the same harm as misogyny and sexism. Our call is for the IATF to turn to science and research-based steps in the creation of resolutions, guidelines and health protocols. Politically motivated actions have no space in a health crisis.

1 Neumayer, E., and Plümper, T., 2007, ‘The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters: The Impact of Catastrophic Events on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy,’ Annals of the Association of American Geographers, vol. 97, no.3, pp. 551-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/ j.1467-8306.2007.00563.x 2 United Nations. Policy Brief: The impact of COVID-19 on Women. April 09, 2020. https://www.un.org/ sexualviolenceinconflict/wp-content/

uploads/2020/06/report/policy-brief-theimpact-of-covid-19-on-women/policybrief-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-womenen-1.pdf 3 Azer Parrocha. “Galvez named chief implementer of nat’l policy vs. Covid-19”. Philippine News Agency. March 26, 2020. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097963 4 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Resolution no. 15. Series of 2020. March 24, 2020.2. https://w w w.of f icialgazette.gov.ph/ downloads/2020/05may/20200324-IATFRESO-15.pdf 5 Department of Labor and Employment. Labor Advisory no. 9, Series of 2020. March 4, 2020. https://www.dole. gov.ph/php_assets/uploads/2020/03/ Labor-Advisory-No.-09-20-Guidelineson-the-Implementation-of-FlexibleWor k - A r r ange m e nt s - a s - R e m e d i a l Measure-due-to-the-Ongoing-Outbreakof-Coronavirus-Disease-2019-COVID-19. pdf 6 Philippine Statistics Authority. Percent Distribution of Employed Persons by Sex, by Region and Major Industry Group. October 2019. https://psa.gov.ph/content/ employment-situation-october-2019 7 Philippine Statistics Authority. Employment Situation in October 2020. https://psa.gov.ph/content/employmentsituation-october-2020 66

8 Republic of the Philippines. Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1. March 28, 2020. 5-6. https://www.officialgazette.gov. ph/downloads/2020/03mar/20200328JOINT-MEMORANDUM-CIRCULARNO-1-S-2020.pdf 9 Department of Labor and Employment. Department Order no. 212. Series of 2020. April 8, 2020. https://www.dole.gov.ph/ php_assets/uploads/2020/04/DepartmentOrder-No.212-Series-of-2020.pdf 10 Pia Ranada. “Plight of stranded OFWs: Gov’t still processing 8,000 certificates”. Rappler. May 23, 2020. https://www. rappler.com/nation/plight-of-strandedofws-government-processing-certificatesbacklog 11 “6,000 OFWs stranded in hotels due to COVID-19 test delays”. CNN Philippines. October 21, 2020. https://cnnphilippines. com/news/2020/10/21/6-000-OFWsstranded-due-to-COVID-19-test-delays.h 12 Jaehwa Bernardo “Students struggling to get gadgets for online classes fall victim to abuse, sexual exploitation.” ABS-CBN News. August 8, 2020. https://news.abs-cbn. com/news/08/08/20/students-strugglingto-get-gadgets-for-online-classes-fallvictim-to-abuse-sexual-exploitation 13 Merlinda Hernando-Malipot. “Groups alarmed over child abuse, exploitation related to school opening.” Manila Bulletin. July 24, 2020. https://mb.com. ph/2020/07/24/groups-alarmed-over67

child-abuse-exploitation-related-toschool-opening/ 14 Renzo Acosta. “Of victims and saviors: Sex work amid the pandemic.” Inquirer.net. January 23, 2021. https://newsinfo.inquirer. net/1387176/of-victims-and-saviors-sexwork-amid-the-pandemic 15 Tarra Quismundo. “Dangerous or empowering? Signups on sugar daddy dating site rise among young women in PH amid pandemic”, ABS-CBN News. October 30, 2020. https://news.abs-cbn.com/ life/10/30/20/signups-on-sugar-daddydating-site-rise-among-young-ph-womenamid-pandemic 16 Matilda Boseley. “‘Everyone and their mum is on it’: OnlyFans booms in popularity during the pandemic”. The Guardian. December 22, 2020. https:// www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/ dec/23/everyone-and-their-mum-is-on-itonlyfans-boomed-in-popularity-duringthe-pandemic 17 Meg Adonis. “Teachers, parents brace for double workload, unfamiliar tools” Inquirer.net. October 25, 2020. https:// newsinfo.inquirer.net/1343601/teachersparents-brace-for-double-workloadunfamiliar-tools 18 Bonz Magsambol. “FAST FACTS: DepEd’s distance learning”. Rappler. June 1, 2020. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/ iq/things-to-know-department-educationdistance-learning

19 Christia Marie Ramos. “Nearly 1.3-M tipline reports flagging OSAEC content received by DOJ in 2020”. Inquirer.net. March 02, 2021. https://newsinfo.inquirer. net/1402199/nearly-1-3m-tipline-reportsflagging-osaec-content-received-by-dojin-2020..

amanda-lacaba-arrested-in-cagayandecember-2020

20 UP Population Institute. Estimating the potential impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on critical sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes in the Philippines: Technical Report. 2020 21 David Santos. “Philippine population growth slows to 1.3%, but COVD-19 may turn things around”. CNN Philippines. December 30, 2020. https://cnnphilippines. com/news/2020/12/30/Philippinepopulation-growth-slows-down-.htm l 22 Lian Buan. “Baby River, who died in ‘cracks’ of the justice system, laid to rest under tight police watch.” Rappler. October 16. 2020. https://www.rappler.com/nation/ reina-mae-nasino-baby-river-dies-cracksjustice-system-buried-tight-watch-policeoctober-16-2020 23 Baby River 24 Ibid 25 Ibid 26 Lian Buan. “Daughter of slain activist Randy Echanis arrested in Cagayan – Anakpawis.” Rappler. December 2, 2020. https://www.rappler.com/nation/ a n a k p aw i s - s ay s - e c h a n i s - d au g ht e r68

The King’s Reign of Terror: Duterte’s Punitive Enforcement of Health Protocols ni Lemuel Deinla

Metro Manila and other places seeing another surge in COVID-19 cases are under lockdown again. This has been the third time that the Duterte administration ordered pandemicstricken areas to be placed under ECQ. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the administration made a clear choice regarding its implementation of lockdowns and health protocols—the approach would be punitive, militaristic, and fascist in nature.

In a televised speech on July 21, 2020, Duterte explicitly instructed the police to punish quarantine violators. According to him, a crackdown against violators should be pursued and the offenders should be given a “lesson for all time.” But even before his July 2020 speech, Duterte directed the PNP to make arrests and, at one point, to even shoot unruly citizens dead. In his April 13 weekly report to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, Duterte proudly reported to Congress that, from the

Barangay captain Frederick Ambrocio of Santa Cruz, Laguna, forced curfew violators to lock themselves up in a dog cage. Photo from Philstar.com

Heavily armed police were sent to Cebu City to enforce the lockdown. Photo from Philstar.com

beginning of the lockdown on March 16, 2020, the PNP has arrested, warned, and fined a total of 81,908 individuals for violating quarantine protocols and apprehended a total of 7,561 PUVs for violating the ECQ guidelines. Duterte also commanded barangay captains to take part in enforcing lockdowns and quarantine. The PNP, the AFP, barangay captains, and barangay tanods—Duterte’s agents of punishment and death—are no strangers to violence and terror. They have been the administration’s enforcers of Oplan Tokhang, Martial Law in Mindanao, repression of progressive 71

individuals and organizations, and bloody operations in Negros Island and the Southern Tagalog region. Empowered by none other than the president himself, they unleashed a new wave of terror upon the citizenry when the pandemic hit. On March 21, 2020, a barangay captain in Santa Cruz, Laguna, threatened five quarantine violators that he will shoot the latter unless they go inside and imprison themselves in a dog cage. It is also important to note that two of the quarantine violators were minors. Barangay San Isidro in Parañaque City was documented on March 24 to have

punished arrested quarantine violators by forcing them to sit in an open space under the blazing sun. On April 5, a barangay captain in Pandacaqui, Pampanga humiliated LGBTQ+ quarantine violators by forcing the latter to kiss one another and do a sexy dance in front of a minor—the whole incident was filmed and broadcasted live on Facebook. Amnesty International promptly released a statement saying that such inhumane punishments can be considered torture. A Foucaldian reading may lead us to the interpretation that the government also targets people who have not committed any violation to coerce them into submission. The degrading punishments were intended to deter the offender from repeating their violation and prevent the possibility of having imitators. One year later, things have not changed. When COVID-19 cases surged during March 2021, a second lockdown was ordered in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces. The punitive approach to enforcing the lockdown was once again employed. The punishments have gotten worse this time, for they have led to the deaths of quarantine violators. Darren Manaog Peñaredondo

died of a stroke after the police forced him to do pumping exercises 300 times. Ernanie Lumban Jimenez was beaten to death by two barangay tanods in Turbina, Calamba, Laguna. For many of the quarantine violators, they were arrested and imprisoned. Rappler analyzed the daily reports released by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield which was composed of the AFP, the PNP, the BFP, and the Philippine Coast Guard. According to the data, 19,340 were arrested by March 30, 2020. Three months later, about 2,692 were still languishing in jails. Rappler found out that the PNP was making more arrests than the courts could handle. Backlogs built up and delayed the inquest proceedings needed to process arrests made without warrants. Since the violators are required to undergo inquest first, they remain in police custody and locked up in jails usually for indeterminate amounts of time. In Foucaldian terms, Duterte’s punitive approach to the enforcement of lockdown and health protocols is a return to Europe’s old system of punishment. In total contrast with the penal reforms of the 18th century, the punishments for quarantine violators 72

are arbitrary, theatrical, and meant to sow fear and terror. The quarantine and curfew violators are to become living cautionary tales. They were punished to spread the truth about their transgressions against Duterte’s orders. Quoting Foucault from his book Discipline and Punish, another purpose of Duterte’s punitive approach is “[To] make everyone aware, through the body of the criminal, of the unrestrained power of the sovereign.” For Duterte’s agents of punishment and death, the president’s words are the law. To violate the curfew, liquor bans, checkpoints, and “tiny bubbles,” is to disobey Duterte. And, we know that, among the repressive state apparatuses, the police especially take Duterte’s words as literal commands. In 2019, the PNP closed down Lotto outlets because Duterte verbally ordered them; they proceeded with the operation even without written orders. But, is Duterte’s punitive approach effective? To answer that we ask: Should quarantine violators be punished for their violations or should they just be simply warned and informed about the importance of following health protocols? It all boils down to which approach elicits desired positive 73

behavior from people. If a person’s only motivation for following minimum health standards is due to their fear of being punished, arrested, and jailed, they will never fully understand the significance of following such protocols. If punishment is the incentive, people would only wear face masks, practice social distancing, avoid mass gatherings, and follow other health protocols when the enforcer, i.e., a police officer, soldier, or barangay tanod, is present within their vicinity. Such an approach would not encourage people to voluntarily follow minimum health standards because they do not appreciate its underlying importance enough. Policy-wise, the punitive approach also does not make any sense. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has recommended that fewer people should be sent to prisons to avoid further overcrowding jails. The CHRI stated that, because prisons are poorly ventilated spaces lacking access to proper healthcare, COVID-19 could easily spread among prisoners. Decongesting prisons should be a priority of governments during the pandemic. Concerned

Lawyers

for

Civil

Overcrowded prisons in the Philippines have been described as “ticking time bombs” for COVID-19 infection. Photo from time.com

Liberties, a group of Filipino lawyers, has condemned the Duterte administration’s hypocritical and unequal enforcement of the law. Allies of the president who committed serious quarantine violations were not held accountable while quarantine violators with low-level offenses suffered draconian penalties. True to the Foucaldian return to Europe’s classical legal system, Duterte’s punitive approach has glaring loopholes. From the feminist point of view, the Duterte administration has serious shortcomings in terms of addressing the needs of the people. Many Filipinos go outside of their homes to work and earn a

living so that their families could survive. This is particularly true for low-income Filipinos who are in “no work, no pay” jobs. The sharp rise in unemployment during the pandemic also forced many Filipinos to enter the informal economy. Although the government did have a social amelioration program, cash aid and relief goods are meager, delayed, and intermittent. Given all these, what Filipinos need most is empathy. If they fail to follow minimum health standards, the government should educate them instead of punishing them ruthlessly. If a person neglects to wear a mask, law enforcers should instead provide them 74

with one. If people violate the curfew, law enforcers should just simply warn them. If public utility vehicles are not able to follow social distancing, law enforcers should understand that it is not the passengers’ fault that transportation was made scarce by the government. The harshness of the Duterte administration could stem from the fact that the pandemic policymaking bodies such as the IATF are dominated by mostly unqualified men; only a few women serve in Duterte’s cabinet. From the words of Joan Tronto, the

government must be attentive and responsive to the needs of the people while being responsible and competent in the process of caring for the people. These are qualities that Duterte sorely lacks. In a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia, 9 out of 10 Filipinos said that the government’s pandemic response has been lacking. Many participants pointed out the government’s inadequate financial aid, low supply of vaccines, slow vaccination rollout, problems in implementing health

Former police chief Debold Sinas held a birthday celebration in May 2020. Mass gatherings are strictly prohibited but Sinas escaped punishment for his blatant violation of health protocols. Photo from yahoo.com 75

protocols, and ineffective information campaign, among others. Filipinos are keenly aware of the failures of Duterte’s pandemic response because they are living through the effects of this grave mismanagement. Like the spectators in public executions from Foucault’s Europe, we are given the opportunity to lay our sympathies with the oppressed. Let’s tear down the scaffold of Duterte’s system of terror and bring the tormentors to justice.

Ang Nanay Kong Nurse: Mga Kwento ng mga Single Mother na Nursing Staff sa Panahon ng Pandemya

Saan napupunta ang maghapon at higit pang pagkayod ng nanay kong nurse? Noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, hindi kami madalas magkasama ni Mama sa bahay. Miss na miss ko siya dahil sunod-sunod ang kanyang mahahabang shift. Minsan, naririnig ko siya, “Sana dumating na yung hazard pay namin,” para makabayad na raw

kami sa renta, tuition, at mga utang. Tapos sabi niya sa akin isang beses, kung kaya niya lang, sasama siya sa pagkilos ng mga frontliners na nananawagang ibigay na sa kanila ang mga nararapat nilang benepisyo. Nakikita ko ang pagod ni Mama, kaya sana talaga matumbasan lahat ng sakripisyo niya para sa aming pamilya.

Ayon sa ulat ng Commission on Audit para sa taong 2020, nakapagtala ng “deficiencies” at mga kaduda-dudang transaksyon ang Department of Health sa paggamit ng pondo nito sa pagtugon

sa COVID-19 pandemic. Ito ay sa kabila ng mga daing ng ating frontliners na hindi pa nila natatanggap ang mga benepisyo gaya ng hazard pay at Special Risk Allowance.

Ayon sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority, karamihan ng mga nagtatrabaho sa sektor ng kalusugan ay kababaihan. Tulad ni mama na tumatayo rin bilang haligi ng tahanan, ang hagupit ng pandemya ay nagsilbing doble hamon para sa katulad niyang nurse na isa ring nanay.

niyang umupa ng apartment sa likod ng ospital sa takot na maiuwi niya ang COVID-19 sa kanilang tahanan. Mula Mayo hanggang Oktubre 2020, isang beses lang kada buwan nakakauwi si Tita Jenny. “Ang nangyayari, para akong nasa ibang bansa. Tinatawagan ko mga anak ko. Naka-messenger call

Larawan mula sa Rappler.com

Madalang ko makasama si nanay May kaibigang nurse si nanay na nagngangalang Jenny, tatlumpu’t limang taong gulang, may dalawang anak na sampu’t anim na taong gulang. Nang mag-umpisa ang pandemya, si Tita Jenny ay nagtatrabaho sa Surgery Ward. Labindalawang oras ang kanyang duty at nang lumala ang pandemya, kinailangan

kami”, kwento niya. Ang kanyang nanay at kapatid lamang ang nag-aalaga sa kanyang dalawang anak habang siya ay nag-iisa sa apartment. Tulad ni Mama, palagi kong tanong ay, “Bakit hindi sila umuuwi sa bahay araw-araw?” Ni hindi ko na sila nakukumusta o nakakasamang kumain. Habang nangangapa ang mga anak ni Tita Jenny sa online class, aniya, “Nako mahirap. 80

Lahat na ng depression makukuha mo. Syempre, ‘di mo nakikita anak mo. Eh, wala, namimiss ako, umiiyak. Syempre ‘pag may nararamdaman, ‘pag may sakit, ‘di naman ako makauwi, nakakatakot umuwi, baka mamaya dala ko yung virus, mahawaan ko sila.”

admission process ng mga kawani ng ospital na nagpositibo sa COVID-19. Mas lumuwag ang iskedyul ni Tita Jenny at nagkaroon siya ng pagkakataong makauwi araw-araw sa kanyang pamilya. Ngunit sa kabila nito, ibinahagi ni Tita Jenny na hindi nagbago ang bigat ng kanyang trabaho.

Pinapalitan ng isang healthcare worker ang oxygen tank ng isang pasyente na naka-confine sa tent sa parking lot ng ospital. Larawan mula sa interaksyon.philstar.com

Nang ma-rotate ng duty si Tita Jenny, siya ay naging kabilang sa infection control unit ng ospital. Naging tungkulin niya ang kumalap ng mga datos, census, at inventory para sa mga ulat na sinusumite sa DOH. Kasama rin sa kanyang trabaho ang pag-asikaso sa 81

“Ang problema lang, minsan walang oras na pinipili yung referral. Kahit, Saturday, Sunday, trabaho kami, work from home, sa bahay namin.” Walang ipinagkaloob na counselling o psychological support ang pagamutan at gobyerno sa kabila ng stress na dulot ng kanyang trabaho. Ngunit una sa lahat,

sila ay tao muna bago sila naging nurse. Noong Enero 2021, nagkaroon siya ng pneumonia. Sa hinuha ni Tita Jenny, nakuha niya ito mula sa Oncology Unit nang humawak siya ng mga immunocompromised patients. “Hindi ako natulog noong unang araw [ko sa quarantine facility] kasi natakot ako, kasi mamaya kung ano pala yon. Natakot ako kasi baka COVID,” dagdag niya. Sa kabila ng mga panganib na dala ng kanyang trabaho, hindi siya nakatanggap ng Special Risk Allowance at hazard pay dahil hindi raw siya direktang humahawak ng mga COVID-19 cases. Bago tumaas ang sahod ng mga nurse patungong salary grade 15—ang ipinaglalabang antas ng sahod para sa mga entry-level nurse— ang sahod ni Tita Jenny ay mas mababa pa sa P20,000. Kanya ring ibinahagi na hindi siya nakatanggap ng ayudang relief goods at pera mula sa kanilang barangay o Local Government Unit. “Ay isa pa yan. Hindi naman ako, lagi kasi nilang sinasabi na hindi kami kasama, lalo ako, kasi government employee daw ako. Kaya kahit anong ayuda, hindi kami nakasama kahit isang beses”. Ang kawalan ng ayuda ay isa sa mga patunay na wala sa kalooban ng gobyerno na pagsilbihan

ang lalo pang naghihirap na masa. Dahil sa prinsipyo ng naghaharing-uri, ang pagpapanatili sa kapangyarihan ay pagpapatuloy ng kanilang interes.

Hindi natutumbasan ng kakarampot na sahod ng mga frontliner ang bigat ng kanilang trabaho Isa pa sa mga kaibigan ni Mama na kapwa niya solo parent ay isang nursing attendant na si Tita Angela, apatnapu’tapat na taong gulang, may dalawang anak na labingtatlo at sampung taong gulang. “Ako po ay hindi nurse, kundi isang nursing attendant na pwedeng makulong dahil walang hawak na lisensya, walang hahabulin, kundi ang bigat ng trabaho,” ani ni Tita Angela. Parehong trabaho at parehong labindalawang oras din ang duty nila kagaya ng mga nurse ngunit ang sahod ng isang Job Order (JO; kontraktwal) na NA ay P12,000 lamang. “Tapos ay kakaltasan pa ako ng Philhealth, SSS, kasabay ng maliit na sweldo. Kinakailangang magtiis dahil sa JO ay walang benepisyo, hazard pay, maski allowance o bonus”, ani ni Tita Angela. 82

Sa ngayon, walang katulongsi Tita Angela na magbantay sa kanyang dalawang anak, dahil ang magulang niya ay pumanaw na. Kaya napipilitan siyang araw-araw iwan ang mga anak nang mag-isa lamang sila. “Ngayon, ang nangyari, ang panganay kong lalaki, unti-unti natutong magluto. Ang mahirap don ay tuwing online class, sa phone, naka-videocall kung ano ginawa sa klase, tapos isesend sa akin para matignan ko. Bale, gumagawa ka ng trabahong opisina kasabay ng mommy duties.” Higit pa sa distansya mula sa kanilang iskrin ang nararamdamang pangungulila ni Tita Angela. Tulad ni Mama, hindi sila makauwi araw-araw para man lang makasabay kumain ang mga anak at kumustahin ang kanilang pag-aaral. Sa kasalukuyan, hindi naka-assign sa isang ward si Tita Angela. Siya ang secretary ng Chief Nurse at kahit weekends ay kailangang lagi siyang oncall at dapat handang mag-report sa duty. Inamin niyang nakakalimutan na niyang alagaan sarili niya. “Kung iinom lang ng vitamins, uminom lang ako nung nagkasakit ako. After, wala. Before, wala. Ang ano ko, sa mga bata. Exercise, wala ako non. Namomonitor ko yung 83

laboratory, blood sugar, wala. Kahit may sakit ka, ipapahinga mo lang. Tapos trabaho ka pa rin.” Para sa kanila, itong trabaho nila ay isang malaking warzone kung saan hindi lamang digmaan laban sa virus ang kanilang araw-araw na kinakaharap, kundi ang laban din sa kalungkutan, pagod, pangungulila, at ang sariling takot na mahawa ang kanilang mga pinakamamahal sa buhay. Ngunit noong Marso ngayong taon, nagpositibo si Tita Angela sa COVID-19 at kinailangang mag-quarantine ng labing-apat na araw. Dahil dito, hindi siya nakakauwi sa bahay upang alagaan ang kanyang anak. “Nung nalaman kong COVID positive ako, talagang iniyakan ko. At least, kasi sa gabi, kasabay ko silang natutulog, eh pa’no yun ngayon? Naka-quarantine ako, ayaw akong pauwiin. Balak ko pa nga no’n, tumakas.” Napanatag lamang ang kanyang kalooban nang ipangako ng kanyang mga kasamahan sa trabaho na dadalhan nila ng pagkain at titingnan nila ang kalagayan ng mga anak niya. Sa ilalim ng pandemyang ito, ang “pagnanakaw” ay hindi lamang limitado sa korapsyon, ito rin ay mga ipinagkait na oras at sandali sa ating frontliners mula sa kanilang mga pamilya na

kanilang pangunahing lakas at suporta Nang makabalik sa trabaho si Tita Angela, nag-umpisa siyang mag-apply para maging casual o regular sa kanyang trabaho dahil isang taon na siyang JO. Sa loob ng dalawang buwan, walang ibinigay na bayad (ni isang sentimo) habang hinihintay na umusad ang kanyang application process. “Sa totoo lang, ang ATM ko nakasanla. Hanggang ngayon, ‘di ko pa natutubos, dapat sana ngayon, kaso wala pang sahod.”

Dahil walang tulong, kailangan kong dumiskarte May madiskarteng kaibigan si mama na kapwa niya rin nurse. Siya si Tita Joy, tatlumpu’t-limang taong gulang na may isang anak na apat na taong gulang. Walang ibang katuwang si Tita Joy sa pagpapalaki ng kanyang anak kundi ang nanay niya. Kwento ni Tita Joy, “Actually during pandemic last year, kakasimula ko pa lang [magtrabaho bilang nurse].

Larawan mula sa Philstar.

Sa kabila ng kawalang ayuda mula sa kinauukulang barangay at mapanganib na trabaho, walang ipinagkaloob ang ospital at gobyerno na suporta para sa kanilang mental at emosyonal na kalusugan.

Nagdalawang isip ako kung itutuloy ko ba or hindi, kasi meron akong anak, syempre, single parent ako, walang ibang titingin sa anak ko. What if mainfect ako, kawawa yung anak ko.” Sa kabila ng pangamba niya, nanaig ang 84

kanyang tungkulin na magtrabaho dulot ng marahas na katotohanang upang mabuhay, kinakailangang kumayod. Na-assign siya sa OB-Ward kung saan tumulong siya sa mga nanganganak. Napunta rin siya sa Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Sa kasalukuyan, siya ay nagtatrabaho sa receiving area ng COVID-19 referral facility ng ospital. “Ang dami nating extra precautions. Maraming tayong protocols na ginagawa lalo na nung pandemic para hindi ma-

infect. Nagsusuot ka ng PPE, napakainit. Parang ang hirap magtrabaho nung time na yon tapos galaw ka pa nang galaw. Pagdating mo talaga, pagod na pagod ka.” Ngunit tuwing uuwi raw siya sa bahay ay hindi pa rin siya pwedeng magpahinga. Dahil maliit pa ang anak niya, kailangan niyang tutukan ang pagaalaga sa anak. Isa pa sa pagsubok na kinaharap niya ay ang transportasyon. Noong kasagsagan ng ECQ noong nakaraang taon, umarkila ng jeep ang ospital. Ngunit kalaunan ay kinailangan

Si Teddy Herbosa ay isang Special Adviser para sa National Task Force on COVID-19. Para sa kanya, pera lang ang habol ng mga healthcare worker na nagpoprotesta. Larawan mula sa Twitter. 85

na rin daw nila magbayad. Mahirap daw bumiyahe lalo na at madalang daw ang mga pumapasadang tricycle noon. Dahil siya ay bagong empleyado lamang, siya ay nagsimula bilang Job Order. “Nung JO pa lang ako na naguumpisa last year, which is 645 [pesos] for 8 hours. Hindi talaga sapat yon, sobrang hindi sapat yon, kasi nagmimilk, nagda-diaper pa yung anak mo, yung kuryente nyo. Kaya ang ginagawa ko, dumidiskarte ako.” Pumapatak na halos P13,000 lamang ang sinasahod niya nang mag-umpisa siya. Upang may mapagkuhanan ng extra income, “Rumaraket talaga ako. ‘Pag day-off ko, nag-ooffer ako ng vaccine, ng flu vaccine. May doktor ako na ka-tie up. Tapos, ano pa, yung mga items, binebenta ko. Mga dry goods, clothings. [Kailangan] maging independent woman. Maging raketera ka.” paliwanag niya, “Kasi walang ibang tutulong sayo.” Nang nag-positibo sa COVID-19 ang kanyang ina, nakipagkasundo siya sa LGU na huwag nang kunin ang kanyang nanay para mag-isolate sa quarantine facility. Si Tita Joy na mismo ang nagpasyang magsilbi’t mag-alaga sa kanyang nanay. Sa kabila ng pait ng problemang kanyang hinaharap,

ipinahiwatig ni Tita Joy na walang paid leave ang mga JO na empleyado, “Sa JO kasi, pag sick leave ka, no work, no pay yan eh. Pumasok ka o hindi, walang bayad yan.”

Ang daming inaasahang sakripisyo ngunit ang liit ng tingin sa kanila ng gobyerno Bumabangon ang mga frontliner kagaya ni mama at mga kaibigan niya na bitbit ang bigat ng responsibilidad ng pagtataguyod sa kanilang mga sariling pamilya habang pasan din ang buhay ng kapwa nila tao. Sa lahat ng paghihirap na ito, pangungulila ang nararamdaman ng ating healthcare workers, na tila wala silang masasandigan, na walang ibang tutulong sa kanila. Hindi mali ang manawaga ng dagdag benepisyo kung buhay ang kapalit at pinagsisilbihan. Ang krisis pangkalusugan at pangekonomiya ang tumutulak sa ating mga nurse na lumipat ng propesyon at lumisan ng bansa upang iahon ang kanilang pamilya sa hirap. Taon-taon, paulit-ulit na iginigiit ng iba’t ibang organisasyon ang pangangailangan ng mga nurse sa isang sistemang makatao’t nagbibigay ng sapat na suporta. Sa totoo 86

lang, hindi makasariling desisyon ang pangingibang-bansa, mahirap naman yata na magpatuloy na maglingkod sa isang bansang ang daming inaasahang sakripisyo mula sa mga frontliners ngunit isinasawalang bahala ang kanilang mga daing at panawagan. Ang tao, gaya ng isang kandila, ay

napupundi at nauubos. Para sa mga nanay na isa ring nurse na pinagkaitan ng makataong pagtrato ngayong pandemya, isang malaking pandaraya ang sistemang umiiral. Sa kabila ng lahat, ipagpanawagan natin ang sapat at tapat na sahod, benepisyo, at ayuda para sa ating frontliners.

Tayo’s inaalapin ngayon subalit atin ang bukas.