DEBATES AND ARGUEMENTATION

LOCKDOWN IN LUZON
On March 16, 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon area
in the Philippines under "enhanced community quarantine" (ECQ) which is effectively a total
lockdown, restricting the movement of the population with exceptions, in response to the
growing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. Additional lockdown
restrictions mandated the temporary closure of non-essential shops and businesses. The
quarantine is originally set to last until April 12, 2020, although, government was considering to
either extend or lift it after two weeks of its implementation. Duterte said on April 6, 2020 that he
is inclined to extend the quarantine up to the end of April 2020. 
The Luzon ECQ caused the mobilization of the Philippine government agencies and
local government units as well the passing of Republic Act 11489 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as
One Act" in order to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. I believe that this Luzon
lockdown was a good decision made by our president in order to have to social distancing and
can help prevent the spread of the corona virus. Under the Luzon ECQ setup, mass gatherings
are completely prohibited and all means of public transport is no longer allowed limiting the
movement of people. All schools in all levels are temporarily prohibited to conduct classes and
activities until the lockdown ends. The people’s movement is restricted to their homes and they
can only go outside to just buy basic needs such as food, medicines and other things needed
and it is said that only a single person per household can go outside to buy basic necessities.
I think there should be more strict implementations and the government should have a
stable plan for those families that need help than the others regarding this matter because not
only our security is at stake but also our lives. We know that not all of us has the same privilege
and benefits of the other families some can’t afford to eat 3 times a day and has no means of
having job. I have seen on social media some places that does not strictly follow the social
distancing that has been said in the implementation some people are not even wearing mask
while they are outside because they lack of supply or money to afford it. The government should
find ways to help them to survive in this pandemic crisis not only the government but also us
people in our own simple ways.

Sources:

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/16/luzon-enhanced-community-quarantine-covid-19.html

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/729875/duterte-orders-lockdown-of-entire-luzon-due-to-
covid-19-threat/story/

ONLINE CLASS
As a way to cope with the pandemic, schools have established e-learning communities.
Different online platforms were resorted to just so classes could still push through. When we
were told that classes would be conducted online, there was a mixture of reactions. I got both
excited and worried. Excited because this is something new to me, and worried because I am
not convinced our internet connection can properly handle class video calls. This is a shared
problem. Some of my friends and classmates are in a similar situation, and other students’
situations are even worse. Not all students have gadgets that easily connect to Wi-Fi. Yes,
professors have to be commended for still wanting to impart knowledge to their students, but
virtual classrooms just remind us of our pressing social inequality. By implementing online
classes, some will not be able to participate.
The virus has caused panic which distracts the students from attending their online
class. For me, online classes is not for everybody we should physically present in the classroom
for them to learn efficiently. The fact they expect you to work at a normal pace when society
around you is falling apart how a student can focus in times like this. The students need time to
prepare for the enhanced community quarantine not only for their sake but also for their
families. Even if learning materials are provided during online classes, worrying about your
survival because of a deadly virus while doing academic work is unlikely to help you study and
retained what you have learned.
No one was prepared for any of these things to happen but right now we must remember
that whatever happens to this semester it’s not just about us as individual students rather we
must take into consideration the students who are badly hit, This pandemic has opened our
eyes to the realities our people and our country (and other developing countries) face. Problems
with our education, our technology, the widening gap between the rich and the poor they have
always been there. But at times like this, our priority is to what to eat and how will we survive.

Sources: https://www.dlsl.edu.ph/tag/dlsl-online-learning/

The speech of President Duterte last April 1, 2020

Last April 1, 2020 had the nations address regarding the Corona virus pandemic
happening in the country. What can I say is that the president as well as the government should
have concrete and long term plans to aide and help the country during this pandemic crisis.
Words are not enough for us to have settled in this kind of situation actions should be done at
once so that the people would stop complaining on the things that they need in times like this.
We are not "challenging" the government, we are asserting our right as citizens of this country.
We need answers, we need services. We need actions against COVID-19 not rules that further
discriminates against the poor. I sincerely hope that ordinary citizens will not suffer. But we see
news of how in checkpoints, ordinary citizens are experiencing unjust treatment already, not to
mention those who were detained when all they asked for is financial assistance. Is violence the
answer? No matter what context is, “shoot to kill” is never the solution for anyone with a good
moral compass. Not all people has the privilege so we should also help one another amidst this
health crisis many lives are at stake. We should also give thanks to those brave people like our
front liners that has the courage to fight and save the people from the corona virus. This
government is of the people, for the people and by the people. It is also in our hands and
decision on what will happen to us and in the country. We should not lose hope and pray for the
betterment of the country.

Sources: https://pcoo.gov.ph/presidential-speech/