Homeward in the face of crisis: Community-based Health Interventions Meet Filipino Resiliency

The public health distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic not only aggravated existing socio-economic issues, but also created new problems of displacement in the workforce. In 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recorded more than 420,000 unemployed Filipinos and 4.5 million workers affected by temporary closure of work places and business establishments. Apart from the sudden job displacement, people from the provinces who came to Metro Manila in search of greener pastures also took a massive blow before they could even begin to achieve employment.

Gloria Dalgan, 20, is among those who are yet to start their journey with hopes of a better future in the city and abroad. She traveled all the way from Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao to seek employment as a domestic helper but was denied due to her young age. Shortly after her rejected application, lockdown was declared in Metro Manila. The mother of a two-year old child found herself away from her family in the midst of a worsening crisis and without hope of immediate employment. Back home, her husbandRafael Akan, a jeepney driver, dealt with a significant loss of income as stricter  protocols were implemented in the public transportation sector and was eventually forced off the road. She was burdened with worry for her family in Mindanao and decided to return home. Unfortunately, the expensive plane ticket she bought online turned out to be a scam when she was informed at the airport check-in that her flight booking was non-existent.

With no other means to return home, Gloria, along with other Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) was provided care and shelter by the Philippine Army for fourteen days. They were then transferred and accommodated in temporary shelters at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City until they were assisted by an agency that shouldered their flight home. Upon arrival at the General Santos City airport, they were received by the provincial government’s representatives. Gloria was brought to Maguindanao Hospital for testing and patiently underwent all protocols before she could finally see her family.

Back in her community, she was well-aware of the perception towards returning locals. Some assumed that she was infected with COVID-19 and avoided her while others outright told her to burn her clothes in fear of virus transmission. Gloria stood her ground because she knew that she followed all protocols prior going home. In November 2020, an intervention program entitled Mum’s Magic Hands (MMH) under the Hygiene Behavior Change Coalition (HBCC) project was launched to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting health through hygiene and sanitation practices. Initially, a Training Needs Assessment was conducted in selected barangays of Sultan sa Barongis; one of which is Barangay Masulot where Gloria was chosen to become one of the Community Promoters or “MMH Champions.”

Slowly, Gloria was able to transform her fear of the COVID-19 pandemic into something that benefits her family and the community.

Gloria took this opportunity to learn through several training sessions on gender and development, COVID-19 management, stigmatization, and MMH facilitation skills. She became one of the most active MMH Champion, and believed in the relevance of the HBCC project in introducing the significance of care work and in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

“Syempre nakakuwana ko su niya’y madakel ged i pamendalu, luden su dinyan pegkuwanen su lima nyan, pakakan den siyan sa maledsek, din siyan bamanaw na luba gaaden su COVID19. Luba gaaden su sintomas nin. Na masela ged nakadtabang na sa kuwana nyay sa IDEALS a.” [When I was in Manila, I observed that a lot of people are getting sick, people don’t practice proper handwashing, and COVID-19 was quickly spreading. So I’m grateful for everything I learned from IDEALS.]###

This story is written by Yani Royulada and is part of the UNILEVER/DFID Hygiene Behaviour Change Coalition (HBCC) Project implemented by Oxfam, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women), and Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS, Inc.) in Maguindanao.