It has been almost eleven months since our first COVID-19 case in the Philippines, brought in on the 30th of November by a woman from Wuhan, China. Since then, the Philippines and the Filipino people have faced a political, economic, and public health crisis of unprecedented scale and nature. As a democratic country rapidly approaching the May 2022 Presidential Elections, we must take a step back and address a core question in determining who and what policy values will lead us into the post-COVID world: what exactly is the Filipino most concerned about?
A recent survey by Pulse Asia found that a whopping 74% had health as their primary concern, understandable during this time of pandemic. At the same time, three concerns stood out, revealing the economic impact of the Wuhan virus. First, 47% were concerned about the simple need to have enough to eat every day. Another 47% were concerned about having a secure/well-paying job or source of income. Lastly, 45% were concerned about being able to finish schooling or provide schooling for their children.
These are basic needs and concerns that are vital not only in our country’s short-term survival but in our long-term economic recovery and capacity to future-proof ourselves as the world hurtles into a rapid digitization of all aspects of life.
Looking back at the immediate, mid-term, and continuous responses to the COVID pandemic crisis, it is clear that all sectors have had to play a vital role. Civil society organizations were vital in relief efforts and combatting misinformation, as were academic institutions and citizens acting out of their initiative. However, these responses cannot be wholly attributed to the characteristic resilience and bayanihan spirit of the Filipino people. Much of it was out of necessity –a need to bridge gaps in government efforts that were, many times, marred by militarization, mismanaged priorities, and a lack of transparency and checks and balances. It was in this role of bridging gaps that the private sector played an invaluable role.
A recent survey by the same organization also showed that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos, over 85%, believe in partnerships between national government and reputable private companies to ensure economic recovery for the Philippines. Furthermore, it was found that over 90% of Filipinos believe private investors can help create jobs. To drive home the point, the majority of surveyed Filipinos believe that the private sector is contributes in expanding livelihood opportunities (68%), alleviating poverty (62%), and healthcare-related concerns (43%).
The private sector has made strides towards addressing the key needs of the Filipino people, and this is by no means limited to job creation. As the Philippines has undergone its own COVID-accelerated digital transformation, telco groups have made efforts to bolster existing digital infrastructure and expand its reach, making services such as telemedicine and distance learning more accessible to Filipinos. What is more, this sets the stage for a successful transition to e-governance and the possibility of online voting in future elections.
Democracy Watch Philippines calls on all sectors, especially the government, to further strengthen collaboration in addressing this crisis. Moving forward, we must retain this united approach and ensure that all public and civil society efforts are matched by public sector investment and enabling regulation.
Paco A. Pangalangan
Lead Convenor, Democracy Watch Philippines