THE IMPACT OF COVID TO LABOR
The labor force has been put on brakes because of the rise of cases. Only essential businesses were permitted to operate. Where the government allowed limited staffing feasible for social distancing, it proved to be difficult for workers are unable to attend their work because of the heightened restrictions imposed by the government. Months later, the restrictions were lightened, thus allowing other private businesses and other sectors to operate again, which would enable workers to return. However, that is not the case; a collective concern from the public is the government has been shifting from different modes of quarantine and has lacked to notify the public of the plans proceeding to contaminate the virus and prioritize herd immunity (vaccination). It could have been a viable option if the public was prioritized for vaccination to counter the virus. Because of the directory provided by the government, these last-minute announcements, and the sudden implementation of quarantines, resulted in people losing jobs and businesses. The owners of private enterprises expressed their dismay where the unannounced shifts of different modes of quarantine put them at a disadvantage where they lose profit. And by losing profit, they may have to remove some of their staff to sustain their business. They are demanding that there be a structure or an organized procedure that would execute a proper way of parang mag announce and allow companies to operate. The IATF should manage the situation and provide the administration with the best option possible. And to impose structured regulations that would benefit workers and private business owners. Such experience should have served as a warning for the Philippines and other states to produce emergency preparedness policies with a substantial foundation to respond to any emergency. Within the policy are contingencies, allocation of funds for essential sectors, financial assistance for the public, etc., because the future is uncertain. It is paramount that such policies be installed in the constitution, for we should be prepared for whatever may come for anything that could occur. It has been over a year when COVID infected the world. The virus has put everything on hold in different sectors and is feared by every country. In this year, it could have been an opportunity and interpreted as a learning experience. However, the virus seems to persist and continues to be an unresolved problem of the country. From that previous year, it should have taught officials in the administration to be adaptable and pragmatic to the situation. Other countries have adapted and have concluded with decisions that would internally resolve the burdens brought by the virus. However, that is not the case in the Philippines, we are still struggling to battle against such a threat.