CASE STUDY ON MORAL DILEMMA

by: Clene Doconte

As we are currently experiencing the effects of this pandemic, every person has
been affected individually may it be physically, mentally, emotionally or financially. As
to Carlo’s situation the dilemma is focused on how they can provide for their family, in
context that he and his wife lost both of their jobs because of the pandemic. Being in a
circumstance where a problem comes after another. Carlo is in a state of desperation.
The lack of financial capabilities and his wife being sick may be part of his decision
making process.

In the events that he was offered choices regarding the hospitalization of his
wife, if they were to take the offer of reclassification it would ease their expenses, but
there will be consequences as we know. Being listed as one of the patients under
COVID-19 possible discrimination will arise. Furthermore, there will be possible
sanctions if it was proven that his wife is not a COVID-19 survivor. On the other hand if
they decide to ignore the offer they will face a lot of debt from the hospital, although
part of it will be covered by PHILHEALTH, but the remaining balance would also add up
to the family’s burden.

As for the Barangay Captain, he would also be in a situation wherein it would

affect him both positively and negatively. If he decides to put Carlo and Jane to the list, it
would help the family greatly, although if he does so half of his constituents would
complain because they are on the same situation as Carlo and Jane’s family. More so, if
the Barangay Captain ignores the situation he would feel bad knowing that people on
his barangay are struggling to survive in this hard time. Based on the following
situations, if Carlo’s family continues to struggle, it would result to either committing an
unlawful activity to provide for their needs or even worse, due to different kinds of
stress, the family would lose hope and would result to greater resolve.

In order to for the Barangay Captain to help, I think the best thing to do is to
direct them to government agencies which offers financial help. Aside from the
Barangay Captain can also spare them from debt from rent and would agree to be paid
when the family has recovered. As for the family, being Filipinos we are known to be
resilient, they should find other means that could help them recover but also legal and
safe.