By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Last March 29, Marlon Owen Cruz https://web.facebook.com/owencruz
posted his prediction on the COVID19 pandemic in the Philippines.
But more than sharing his predictions, he calls on the government to come up with a holistic approach that would address various issues that our country needs such as food security, systematic approach to the problem and coherent programs.
He also pointed out that even the extended lockdown was not announced yet, the crisis is not going to end before April 14 for the Philippines given the fact that despite the low figure given by the government, 1,075 instead of five thousand COVID-19 cases is because there was no testing yet fast enough to establish who is infected or not, and we are not testing all that is needed to be tested soon enough.
Food Security
Cruz pointed out that the Philippines imports around 432,000 metric tons of corn to augment our local production. On top of these staple food and macro feed ingredients, we also import million tons of chicken, beef, and pork.
With the magnitude of the effect of the pandemic across the globe, and given the fact that in a report, Philippines heavily depends on importing food for consumption. With pandemic hitting almost every country, it would inevitable that the Philippines will be facing the risk of having food shortage once other countries suspend momentarily their exportation or they just can’t proceed shipping orders because of logistical problems brought about by quarantine strategies by other countries.
Here are the suggestions of Marlon Owen Cruz for a holistic approach that the Philippine government can adopt in addressing the uncertainties caused by the pandemic:
1. Mass production or importation of test kits, surgical mask for factory workers and N95 mask and other vital PPEs for health workers enough to last us for 3 to 6 months.
2. Importation of intubation kits and respirators good for at least 5,000 patients.
3. Training of (new) hospital workers such as nurses, health aides, pharmacists, medical technologists, radiologists, graduating nursing students, military reserve forces, AFP and PNP health officers to compensate for the reduced number of health workers due to quarantine and those who will need to go on “two weeks on-and-two weeks off” reporting. They don’t necessarily need to act as room nurse but just to help in other hospital work.
4. LGUs to identify hotels, schools, old buildings, gyms, parking lots, churches that can be converted to makeshift hospitals in case the government hospitals can no longer accommodate incoming patients. Government may negotiate with 2 or 3-star hotels, dormitories, and motels for housing PUIs and PUMs as the home quarantine for PUIs and PUMs will put more people at risk. This is to address the fact that many families have no idea how to really protect themselves, relatives and neighbors, from being infected by the quarantined family members.
5. DOH must perform randomized trials to volunteer patients on the efficacy of anti-viral cocktail drugs used for Malaria, HIV and antibacterial drugs used for Pneumonia.
6. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources must release tilapia and bangus fingerlings to all unpolluted rivers and distribute fishing rods and hooks after a month to towns where these rivers flow so that the poor communities will have food to eat and won’t have to rely on government food relief. Only authorized people must be allowed to use fishing nets and sales must go to the LGU for proper fund augmentation. BFAR may partner with resort pool owners so that their pools can be converted to fish ponds for cattle fish and tilapia.
7. Department of Agriculture must see to it that irrigated rice lands continue to be planted for the next harvest season. The same applies to corn lands and other vital crops like onion, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes. Distribute seeds of quick maturing plants like mongo, peanuts, pechay, for planning in the backyard or any vacant lot. In NCR, vertical planting of vegetables must be encouraged. This can be done using improvised planting containers like plastic bottles cut in half and hanged on walls. D.A. can provide them with seeds and garden soil.
8. D.A. must work in partnership with swine farms in Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac that have been vacated Q3-Q4 of last year because of ASF. These farms have mostly been dried up and have been disinfected and it is worth trying to breed pigs again. Given the limited movement of humans, ASF virus spread has also been limited and there’s a high chance that pigs will grow to the 3rd or 4th-month maturity ready for slaughter without getting infected. D.A. must subsidize these farms using funds that we’re realigned by the Emergency Powers bill.
9. For the next 30 days allow vital hardware and shops to be partially opened only to accommodate customers that are essential for the continued production and transportation of food, medicine, and medical supplies. These include stores that are necessary for the movement of essential goods and maintenance of factories and hauling vehicles. This includes all major raw materials and parts suppliers such as truck parts store, lubrication suppliers, boilers, electrical and machine shops, air-conditioning, tire suppliers, auto parts suppliers, and others as deemed necessary by a more empowered IATF. All workers of these businesses must follow strict mandatory wearing of approved PPEs. DOH must launch a televised seminar intended for business owners and workers on how they can protect themselves from being infected.
10. Encourage all food manufacturing and food packaging companies to operate and meet at least 70% of their production capacity.
11. D.A. and IATF must empower agriculture, aquaculture and livestock traders to deliver goods to the market unhampered.
12. Utilize public schools as a hub for municipal and barangay level relief goods distribution and tap public school teachers to do the repacking if needed, their responsibility must include proper accounting/reporting of donations and recipients. This is to help LGU workers and volunteers in both provincial and municipal levels that are lagging behind in terms of relief goods distribution. This will also strengthen checks and balances and aid in real-time reporting of disbursements.
Other recommendations from given by Cruz’ friends:
13. Promote aquaphonics (aquaculture in tanks), backyard broiler raising either in cage or free range.
14. Partially open up mass transport for factory/essential services workers, but only in authorized routes. Prioritize testing if factory/essential service workers so only those with a clean bill of health are allowed to move around.
Cruz underscored that while wishful thinking will help us feel a little better, but real problems require real solutions and action (from the authorities in collaboration with other stakeholders.
(Editor’s Note: THEPHILBIZNEWS Publisher, Monsi Serrano shares the view of Marlon Owen Cruz, that is for the National to come up and focus on strategies using systems thinking, systems design, systems analysis, and systematic implementation given the magnitude of the pandemic and industries affected in the country.)
