Poverty Level Amidst COVID

Poverty is one of the issues that the global south countries that needs to be
address like our country the Philippines. And like how we hope for the government to
create a plan and aid that abolishes the poverty. Poverty deprived people from the
opportunities of having a great life but sadly even their basic needs are being deprived.
Such as access to health care, education, and employment, these things are the things
that most people have to deal with. The victims of poverty are the children, depriving
them of a good quality education means the society is rising the crime rate to address
this issue research from UN conducted stated that “Poverty and crime have a very
“intimate” relationship that has been described by experts from all fields, from
sociologists to economists. The UN and the World Bank both departments having a rank
high of the crimes on the list of obstacles to a country’s development. This means that
governments trying to deal with poverty often also have to face the issue of crime as they
try to develop their country’s economy and society on average, the more time you spend
at school the less violent you will become. Schools don’t just teach you about history or
math, they teach you how-to live-in society”

That is the reality that the marginalized and people who lived in urban area, and
sadly, people and children have to live through it from generations to generations.
Filipinos has been dealing with this for years however when storm hits you, you will
literally feel like that you have hit rock bottom. When pandemic hits, we all felt the impact
and until some are still recovering but most people have just accepted their faith and live
the day and contented with jus a one decent meal a day. A sad reality that the pandemic
added burden to our lives.

As the government mandate a total lockdown last March 2020, people have to stay
at home for their safety. However, it also means the establishments and all sources of
employment has shut down, no means of work that can provide for food, medicine, and
safety for their family. As stated by the research from the ADP “The substantial economic
contraction in the second quarter of 2020 will lead to historic levels of job losses and high
unemployment. ADB simulations indicate that the unemployment rate in Luzon will
increase from 5.3% in October 2019 to at least 22% in the second quarter of 2020. Non-
regular workers in “high contact-intensive” jobs in services (hotels, restaurants, retail,
etc.), and non-regular workers in manufacturing are most likely the first employees to be
laid off, 2 while many regular workers in the services sector are likely to be put on unpaid
leave or ‘hidden unemployment” As the pandemic restricts many social gatherings it has
affects many businesses that resulted from bankruptcy and forces some company to cut
down their employees. Low job opportunities or employment added the fact that the
poverty is rising as the aren’t able to provide and get that the family’s basic needs
especially in health care units. Many families now adays can’t afford to have a decent
meal per day and would asks for government’s aid for support. They have launch Social
Amelioration Program (SAP) which give 6,000 per family and for those who are part of the
4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program).

As we progress now with less restrictions and we adapt the so called new normal
set-up with work from home option. Lucky for those who are able to get by the new
normal but working from home isn't always a choice for all workers, as in the case of
jeepney drivers and service workers. The pandemic also economic demand that leads to
increases the price is goods and services such as food, fare, and etc. As most of the fares
now for the jeep has doubled. No means of job and price increases added the burden for
an ordinary Filipino Family, which leaves no room for some children now to have
themselves enrolled. Especially if you will be needing an internet to access your lesson
and attend classes. As DepEd survey showing that “6.5 million students who have access
to the internet, approximately 20 percent use computer shops or other public places to go
online. Worse, 2.8 million students have no way of going online at all” Not all students
have the privilege to own a laptop, an iPad, or cellphone as their device for online class
which some student lead into dropping school and choose to help their family instead.

This goes to show that pandemic affects greatly in our lives. However, I believe
these things are inevitable that is why we will be needing a great leader who will address
our clamor and address our helplessness. We will always have disasters and us Filipinos
are resilient we can’t be easily backed down but problems need to have an immediate
action and concrete plan. A leader who is strong but has a heart to hear his people and
willing to reach his hand to lift us all up. We can’t eradicate poverty with ourselves
especially if it’s us who are needed to get lifted up it is our leader and the people from the
government who needs to make a program and allocate the people’s taxes where it
should be. And it’s us who has the power who will help us and who is deserving to have
the power to help our children get to opportunity have their dreams achieved.

References
(n.d.). Retrieved from adb.org: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-
documents/54138-001-sd-03.pdf

(n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.cram.com/essay/Poverty-In-The-Philippines-Essay/PJ6C7YVVG

Alde, C. ( 2020, Apr 1). Retrieved from https://philippines.oxfam.org/latest/blogs/covid-

19-and-poverty-pandemic

Lalu, G. P. (2021, March 2). Retrieved from Inquirer.net:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1402187/42-of-school-age-filipinos-dont-use-devices-
for-distance-learning-sws

Santos, A. (2020, October 6). Retrieved from eu.boell.org:

https://eu.boell.org/en/2020/10/06/philippines-distance-learning-reveals-digital-
divide