BONUS TASK ON POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

SWOT Analysis on the Current COVID response of the Philippine Government

Today, the world is at serious risk. We are battling through a pestilence which just began this

January, and is being spread until this day. A quarter of the year have passed, however nations are

still in the process of combatting as the antibody is yet to be developed. The Philippines too, is as of

now dealing with this COVID-19 pandemic. Thereby this paper aims to analyze the response made by

the local government regarding the outbreak. The analysis will be divided into 4 sections in

accordance to SWOT, or the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

STRENGHTHS

7 March 2020, was when the first local transmission of the disease was reported in the

Philippines. 9 days after, March 15, the President declared community quarantine over Metro

Manila. However, despite the fact that only Metro Manila was under the ordinance, small towns in

provinces started to do their own way of social distancing as well. The cooperative attitude of the

public added up to the efficiency of the quarantine itself. As to that, Duterte had made another move

which was to extend the community quarantine until the end of April. This is to flatten the curve, for

studies have inspected on the possible scenarios that could happen after quarantine. As a result,

continuing the enhanced quarantine turned out to be the best way in flattening the curve. Not just

that, this also earns more time for the country to amplify its medical capacity while maintaining the

amount of cases within the limit; Thereby, this decision of the government is said to be acceptable

for community is quarantine is actually preventing the spread of the virus.

WEAKNESSES

Aside from the strengths, or the good sides of community quarantine, there are some

downsides that must be looked in to as well. First of all, people are starving. It is impossible for those

people who have lost their jobs to afford the available necessities for their families. Secondly, the
local health care system in the country is not as advanced as other countries’. This truly is a weakness

for it can slow down the speed in lessening the number of confirmed cases. President Duterte even

asked for the financial support of private businesses during his announcement of the lengthened

quarantine.

OPPORTUNITIES

There is always a room for improvement. The Philippines, despite its weaknesses, have

adequate potential in recovering from the epidemic. The difficulties faced in diagnosing patients can

be covered by the imported test kits. Aside from that, the University of the Philippines has invented

diagnostic kits for the virus and will undergo mass production. This will make it possible for the

country’s health care system to cover more patients and provide them with the appropriate medical

attention.

THREATS

No matter how well the curve is being flattened, people must keep in mind of the possible

threats. As mentioned above, not everyone can afford to buy their meals. There have been cases

where people have been stealing food. Aside from this, people have been hitting the streets asking

food from the government. In fact, after the riot that occurred on April 1, Duterte has permitted to

gunshot those who are violating quarantine rules.

REFERENCES:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/257178-modified-community-quarantine-can-be-explored-flatten-

coronavirus-curve-study

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/duterte-extends-philippines-coronavirus-lockdown-april-

30-200407023327815.html

https://www.who.int/philippines/emergencies/covid-19-in-the-philippines

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-02/duterte-says-police-can-shoot-lockdown-

protesters-if-they-fight