Brothers and sisters, let’s do our part in this war against the Covid-19, now that the government placed the entire Luzon in enhanced community quarantine. The goal of this step is to avoid the spread of the dreaded disease, which can be acquired by socializing with those already infected. Under this enhanced quarantine are strict prohibitions from leaving your home if you are not a member of the medical community, or not working in the frontlines. Only the police and military, as well as workers in groceries, pharmacies and banks are allowed to go out. Public transport companies, schools, and most public and private offices have also implemented suspensions.
The implementation of the enhanced community quarantine presented great challenges to local government units. Local officials were tasked to implement orders like ensuring that the people must stay home to stop the virus from spreading. All local government units were also trusted to provide transportation for health personnel.
Many workers were thankful and happy with the actions of the local governments in preventing the spread of the disease, like establishing sanitation tents, having their own disinfectant drones, and molecular laboratories for free tests.
Local officials in 700 cities and municipalities in Luzon and Metro Manila prepared their own solutions. No matter how much resources they have in the localities, they need to take care of their assigned areas.
This after President Duterte reminded mayors to follow the directives of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Diseases, and if they abuse their power, they may be sued. Even though this wasn’t directed at any one in particular, the President’s warning allegedly stemmed from the approval of one mayor in Metro Manila to allow tricycles to deliver health workers and those who are sick to hospitals.
This predicament of our officials amid the challenges we face caused by Covid-19 can be gleaned in the book of Proverbs 27:23, “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
Do our leaders truly know the condition of the people they govern? Do they clearly see all of our needs? Who really truly understand our situation—the leaders locked up in their offices or the leaders who move along with their people?
It’s not helping any when the national and local governments clash. However, in our current situation, it is appropriate to meditate on the principles of subsidiarity from the social teaching of the Church. In this principle, all those in power are encouraged to help the subunits of government by supporting them. This is based on recognizing their abilities to address their needs. Therefore, the belief that the local governments must solely rely on the instructions of the national government in times of crisis is bent. Instead, they must work hand-in-hand in addressing the needs of the people they promised to serve.
Brothers and sisters, with the weight that our nation is bearing right now, there is hopefully no room for dirty politics. True service means timely addressing the needs of the people, which is of greater importance. We hope that all local officials will do their jobs, with the support of national leaders. In the midst of darkness, every unit of government, in tandem with professionals, and individuals must work together and show solidarity in order to stop this pandemic. In the end, unity is the key answer to any kind of challenge.
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