3 minute read
Hungry? Grab a Panelo
We always loved the government for being able to see the brighter side of the problems. Optimism is one thing to overcome crisis, and we witness this value in our Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo’s passionate words as a reply to the concerns of many Filipinos, making him the number one presidential spokesperson. We should give Panelo a medal for being able to create the most inspiring message in times of crisis which everyone tries to be. Despite the encouraging words, not everyone felt the empathy that Panelo tried to reach to the Filipino people due to mass criticisms on such remark.
Ever since COVID-19 crisis, the government tried to ease the worries of our countrymen in many ways. Remember when President Rodrigo Duterte said that there is nothing to be scared of even COVID-19 is a global pandemic or how the Department of Health tried to calm the atmosphere by saying that there is no need for mass testing despite the rising number of cases? Who could forget Senator Koko Pimentel’s breach of quarantine protocols and saying that just disinfect the places he has been which further added to the burden of the hospital? And despite the worsening situation of COVID-19 crisis in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, still says that our country is one of the model countries in preventing the virus? In a nutshell, it has been a culture of Filipinos to see the brighter side of things despite what problems come. Panelo has been an effective spokesperson by doing the art of looking for silver linings. Hence, he clarified that the statement was an exaggerated reply to the exaggerated expression of problems of those people. He also stated that the virus is far more deadly than hunger, and ECQ is the way to promote social distancing and prevent the spread of the pandemic. He also clarified that the government is in full support to provide relief goods – the government is ready for this. He also implied that all of us have friendly neighbors to help us in need. In simple words, Panelo thought that his statement that literally meant that nobody dies of hunger in a month can be figuratively expressed as the aforementioned. This proves his effectiveness as spokesperson. Maybe if Philippines confronts crisis concerning terrorism, he might say that Filipinos are immune to bullets to imply that the government is prioritizing the safety of the Filipinos.
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The Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was one of the first responses for COVID-19. It was carefully planned to the extent that the only ones who are prepared to such measure are the ones in the government themselves. This caused panic and confusion to the citizens for they worry how are they to spend the next 30 days inside their homes with limited finances, food and water supply, and other necessities. The marginalized, who are greatly affected by ECQ, were protesting their concerns once their livelihood will be put to halt, hence criticizing the protocols made by the national government through the remarks “they will die out of hunger”.
Of course, Panelo was able to be optimistic in this kind of emergency. In Radyo Inquirer, he was able to respond with these encouraging words:
As the Presidential Spokesperson, his words reflect the say of the government to this issue. Imagine the poor in a state of distress due to limited basic necessities and finances being scarce, and your government expects you to live a month with that supplies and support.
Photo Courtesy of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
Using sarcasm to give answers to the cries of Filipino people proves his empathy towards the marginalized sector. It is a shame that almost all of the members of this sector barely receives help from the government, and does not have “good neighbors” since these neighbors have the same situation, extended families to help nor savings from the wages that would last for a month without income like he does. It is also a shame that the exaggerated reactions of these people are not out of sarcasm like his, but their situation is dire as it would sound – they are worried if none of the help would reach them and Panelo understood this perfectly, not in a way Filipinos would understand.
Filipinos are known for being hopeful, but when politics makes it hardcore it can be scary. Due to the current government’s actions, one may think what has COVID-19 did to our current government, or has it always been like this?
