Increase in the rate of poverty due to the increase in the level of unemployment

Quarantine procedures imply that many people are no longer able to work. The impacts of these procedures are noticeable in countries with high poverty rates. The high rate of poverty in the country indicates that the pandemic is affecting the most defenseless. With the vast effect of the COVID19 virus on Filipinos' health, the country's economy also suffered from these various unexpected events. It has caused the spike and recession. With this, the poor individuals extremely endure the impact of economic setbacks brought by this pandemic we are still currently facing. They were even pushed down to a deeper level.

On the other hand, unemployment has approached an all-time high record, and thousands of small businesses have closed. Many employees stated their job was suspended, hours and pay decreased, or compelled to take unpaid leave. With this, the country's gross domestic product (GDP) contraction in the 2nd quarter is the sharpest drop ever on record, as per the Philippine Statistics Authority. 

Though the results were not surprising. The lockdown was served to control the virus, but it has caused to reduce the country's economic activity. Many business establishments have closed as a way to mitigate the negative effect of the pandemic, many employees have lost their job, among others. These things have caused the slower growth of the economy as a whole and have caused the poverty rate to increase.

If they already made actions and became strict when there are only a few patients of the said virus in the first place, apparently, what we are currently facing will not going to be like this. But the past is already past. It will never be revert back. All we can just do now is to pray harder and do actions that can help mitigate its effects.

Alleviating the effects of it would take extra work and discipline of people. We are all affected by it, and making sure no one will be left behind is very necessary. The ways that can be utilized to at least mitigate the effects are significant additional financial support, such as cash assistance program which could somehow help the poor families.

Supporting affected workers and firms would help, too, in reviving the economy, and this support package, which includes unemployment benefits need to be necessarily executed. It is also necessary that the marginalized are given food, money, and healthcare services until they can get back on their feet.

In the case of unemployment, my way to minimize its effect is to support businesses in imposing have flexible working hours for their employees so that they can still work even amidst the situation we are currently in. The work from home style that has been implemented should continue until this pandemic would end.

Also, I will use my voice to let other people who have lost their jobs know and motivate them to plant vegetables in their backyards to have food to eat, be a source of income, or start a livestock business.

I can also help some people to at least have an additional source of savings just by writing or tutoring online by sharing them the ways I know, such as publishing articles at read.cash, a site that helps you earn tips just by uploading articles. The power of the media would also be great. People can utilize their free time doing blogs or vlogs. I would be willing to motivate them to do it since I also have experience doing it. Many successful stories were heard, which only starts from blogging or vlogging.

Access to education is very vital to change the state of life. Thus, as a student who also come from a poor family, I will do my best in my studies so that I will be able to find a stable job in the future which can help me and my family and to alleviate the state of life we have. This is good in the long run, and it is not only me and my family who will be benefited. The whole country, especially the economy, would grow even better if more people become successful in life.

Overall, through our combined efforts, we will be able to recover and heal as one, become stronger, more resilient, and grow better as one nation and as individuals.

Thank you for reading this article of mine. If you have anything in your mind about this topic, let me know it by writing your thoughts in the comment section below.

Salamat!