Skip to main content

Covid-19 threatens to leave thousands of Philippines working abroad stranded and disrupt the flow of remittances

By Victoria Hudson.

An archipelago of 100 million souls and 7000 islands is witnessing the rapid diffusion of Coronavirus cases. The Philippines are preparing to isolate the entire huge metropolitan area of Manila with its 12 million inhabitants for 30 days. The Philippine Department of Health has announced that there are 34 new cases confirmed, bringing the total number to 111 with an escalation since last Thursday, and at least 8 victims. These figures are still far from creating alarm, but the case of Italy, where many Filipino migrants live, has alarmed the authorities and from Sunday to midnight the great metropolis cannot be reached, nor can we leave except in emergencies such as the workers and the "essential" movements of supplies and medical teams. The mayors of the various cities that make up the area of the capital also voted on the decision to impose a curfew from 8 in the evening to 5 in the morning. The area is completely surrounded by army checkpoints. 

The poor of the numerous favelas who face a long trip to the city every day to make ends meet and allow at least one meal for the family will pay for this situation. The imposed isolation will also see them forced to live together in numerous nuclei in small and hygienically unhealthy houses. One of the deceased patients came from one of these villages, and theoretically he had had no contact with any foreigner or potential carrier. Without providing further details of the new cases, the director of the Department of Public Health reported that some staff at the Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City had been exposed to the virus and further updates are expected. Those who will travel outside Metro Manila, even if they have no symptoms, are invited to go into solitary confinement for 14 days. "But it is not a total blockade - said an official - but only a community quarantine". To partially deny it and to hypothesize even more serious measures, it was the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte himself. Speaking of the risks of a total blockade of Manila, he ironed about those who say "We don't want to use that term". "It is because they are afraid to call it a block, but it is a block," he said.

An estimated 10 to 12 million Filipinos work abroad.  In 2019, they sent home between $33.47bn to $35.1bn in remittances, accounting for just under 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, according to the World Bank. The outbreak now threatens to leave tens of thousands of workers reliant on jobs overseas stranded and disrupt the flow of remittances. Philippine Overseas Employment Agency head Bernard Olalia said on Monday up to 3,000 Filipinos were immediately affected by the bans, with some Qatar-based workers forced to turn back after boarding planes to Doha after Kuwait and Qatar announced temporary entry bans on travellers from the Philippines. Kuwait reported at least 72 infections and Qatar 262 on Thursday. The Philippines has reported 49 cases of COVID-19, with two fatalities as of Thursday. Of the 49 cases, 46 have been confirmed this week. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1 Saudi Move & Impact On West Asian Geopolitics

  As one of the most influential players in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia's actions have far-reaching consequences for West Asian geopolitics. In recent years, we've seen several moves from this powerful nation that are shaking up traditional power dynamics and creating new alliances. From its diplomatic spat with Qatar to its growing relationship with Israel, Saudi Arabia is making bold moves that could change the face of West Asia as we know it. Join us as we dive into the geopolitical implications of Saudi Arabia's latest actions and explore what they mean for the future of this critical region. Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force in the Middle East, wielding its oil wealth and religious influence to shape regional politics. Its alliance with the United States has given it even greater sway on the global stage, making it a key player in shaping West Asian geopolitics. However, Saudi Arabia's role in the region is not without controversy. Its support for conse...
Post a Comment
Read more

Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.

  According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.
Post a Comment
Read more

Fights break out as Kurds protest the French government's denial of a terrorist attack

  Following the murder of three Kurds in what is being considered to be a probable racist incident , there have been widespread protests in Paris. The fact that the authorities did not view the attack at a Kurdish centre as a terrorist act has enraged the Kurdish diaspora in Paris. A 69-year-old man opened fire on a crowd of individuals early on Friday morning at the Ahmet-Kaya centre on Rue d'Enghien in the 10th arrondissement. One of the three victims is badly injured. All of the dead were Kurdish community members who passed away both inside and outside the cultural centre. Agit Polat, a spokesman for the Kurdish centre, charged that French officials "yet again failed to safeguard us... This is a terrorist attack in our eyes, according to the AFP news agency. In the afternoon, a number of protestors, largely from the Kurdish diaspora, got into a fight with the police outside the centre and in the streets close by, throwing rocks and torching trash cans. Police use...
Post a Comment
Read more