Backliner: Grace Zerrudo-Estonilo, bank employee
Grace Zerrudo-Estonilo, 58, bank employee, had to step up. The bank’s management had told her before that she no longer needed to report to work following the announcement of a skeletal workforce arrangement. But after a co-worker got sick and decided to rest for the meantime, she had to step into the breach to keep the office running.
Estonilo admitted that she was scared at first when the management instructed her to come to office, because this meant increasing her exposure to the virus as well. Many things could go wrong once you step outside your home during this pandemic, she stressed.
Being the dedicated employee that she was, however, she heeded the call of duty.
“At first, scary talaga. You don’t even know what will happen kapag lumabas ka na. Kasi nasanay akong nasa loob, naka-quarantine ako,” she recalled.
[At first, it’s really scary. You don’t even know what will happen when you step out. Because I was used to being inside my house, I was in quarantine].”“Hindi naman pwedeng mag-say no kasi yun ang aming pledge na whatever happens, magpunta ka. Kailangan kasi. Maha-hamper yung operations, eh. So ayun, nagpunta ako,” she added.
Despite the pandemic-induced fear, Estonilo was assured of a workplace that prioritizes the safety of employees. “The best silang magbigay ng proteksyon sa empleyado. Pagpasok pa lang, alam na naming protektado,” she said.
[They’re the best in giving protection to employees. The moment we come in, we know we’re protected].Estonilo also appreciated that her superior was always checking up on the health and welfare of the employees. She said even outsourced personnel—utility and safety—were given aid.
She encourages her fellow bank employees across the country who are still working amid the pandemic to remain resilient. But they should never forget to look after themselves as well, she added.
“Lastly, kailangan lang we always pray and rely on God … kasi gusto nating magsilbi sa bayan at gusto rin nating matulungan ang pamilya natin … Kahit na medyo delikado sa buhay natin, alam nating gusto nating tumulong,” she stressed.
[Lastly, we just need to always pray and rely on God … because we want to serve the country and also help our families … Even if it’s risky for us, we know we just want to help.”Following the announcement of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine –supposed to end April 13 but now extended to April 30 — banks have remained operational but at limited capacity only to continue servicing customers.
Coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic has lately focused — and rightly so — on the invaluable sacrifices of the medical frontliners who go beyond the call of duty to save as many patients as possible.
The difficulties arising from Covid-19 and the extreme measures it has forced authorities to impose, such as the lockdowns, are also being eased, however, by some people whose work may not easily draw attention, but is nonetheless vital to making our lives as normal as possible.
They are the “backliners” — the grocery store staff and market vendors who make sure we can buy basic items; the farmers and fishermen who put food in our markets and groceries; the bank employees; the Customs inspectors who must quickly clear cargo, especially vital equipment and supplies to fight the virus; pharmacists, garbage men, and the engineers and workmen who must rush to build or retrofit off-hospital quarantine centers, among others. They cannot “stay at home” because they have tasks indispensable in this crisis.
In this series, the BusinessMirror pays tribute to them.