“Maayos naman po, ngunit hindi sapat,” this phrase has been detailed in the
answers of the respondents. They also stated that they find a lot of ways for them
to be able to eat at least two to three times a day. On the other hand, fortunately,
13 of these identified women fisherfolks said that what they earn a day is just
right for their daily expenses. They also give emphasis that the government
treated them just right, in their term “tama lang po, medyo po”.
In the real context, almost 90% of this sector still needs to find other ways and
benefits that can make their lives more convenient.
5. Trafficking and Gender-based Violence
The following were the listed forms of violence that took place during the
Pandemic. These were identified by the respondents.
1. Family misunderstandings
2. Vice (hindi angkop na pag-iinom at pagsisigarilyo) and money issues inside
the family due to lack of work
3. Misunderstanding in the distribution of ayuda
4. Lack of knowledge on the Human Rights and the Law
5. Violence against women (particularly female partners)
6. Few cases of child abuse
The respondents identified such issues as a common happening in their
communities. For them, these problems already existed even before and is still
happening for varied reasons and different situations. Lack of work brought by
the Pandemic has affected a lot of them. Money problems resulted from it which
leads to arguments and then causes crimes or violence to poor people.
Luckily, the barangay officials and the Police were visible when times of violence
occurs. Their visibility has somewhat lessen the said incidents and were managed
at the same time. Crimes also lessened, but women became weak during this
Pandemic, this leads to domestic violence, violence against women and
harassment. This gathered information stated that Gender-based violence has
become another challenge during the period of Pandemic
6. General Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
Losing jobs during the ECQ has affected their ways of life. Borrowing certain
amount of money from lending investors and microfinances has become the most
urgent and easiest solution for this COVID-19 impact.
Fish vendors were not allowed to enter nearby barangays to sell their goods. It
has affected their source of income during the Pandemic. Due to this, the positive
impact is that, they were able to plant vegetable in their own backyards,
Bayanihan once again proved the Filipinos are united as one. And within their
families, each was able to survive the negative effects of the pandemic.