ASSEMBLEA: An Online Journal of Political Science Special Issue No. 1 2020 A Gendered View on the responses of select LGUs during the COVID-19 Pandemic Erick Joshua L. Lagon De La Salle University – Manila, Philippines [email protected] INTRODUCTION During the first week of August, analysis of the actions of some local the National Capital Region and some officials in the Philippines by citing Luzon areas have entered the Modified different examples of their Enhanced Community Quarantine accomplishments and controversies (MECQ). This is part and parcel of the during the pandemic - arguing that health community's plea to place the male and female local officials in the NCR under even a two-week lockdown Philippines have a different view on to “holding the line” in some hospitals how to provide services to their (Marquez, 2020).At the time of MECQ constituents despite being presented a the power is vested to the local similar (crisis) situation. government units to implement rules and regulations to reduce the MALE AND FEMALE LEADERS transmission of the virus in their DURING THE PANDEMIC respective areas. However, ever since Some articles study the difference the country was placed under varying between male and female leaders quarantine categories, news spread out during the pandemic. It implies that far and wide about local officials' gender may or may not play a actions and how they are handling the substantial role in handling a crisis, pandemic. This can be analyzed in hence, a pandemic. Looking at some different dimensions – economic, international examples, New Zealand, political, or even seeing it on the lens of Germany, and even Taiwan successfully gender can this issue be analyzed. The contained the virus, and they are all paper will draw out on a gendered female-led governments (Champoux - Recommended Citation: Lagon, E.J. (2020). A Gendered View on the responses of select LGUs during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Assemblea: An Online Journal of Political Science, Special Issue No. 1 pp. 7-12 ASSEMBLEA ISSN: 2704-4610 Special Issue No. 1, 2020 Paille & Croteau, 2020). Jacinda Her willingness to help the President Ardern’s New Zealand can go on alleviate the worsening cases shows her months now without local empathy and her priorities to contain transmissions. They account for their the virus in the Philippines. Jacinda rigorous mass-testing and contact Ardern, Tsai Ing-wen, even Angela tracing, closing borders, and providing Merkel of Germany, and Leni Robredo, financial assistance to those greatly can be inferred that certainty in their affected (Reuters, 2020). priorities to manage and alleviate the situation is their driving force to carry Tsai Ing-wen’s Taiwan was the out with utmost effectiveness and first to contain the virus completely efficiency their policies. with little fatalities and even low cases – this is attributed to the experts who are LGUs DURING THE PANDEMIC making the decisions for the government that was prepared since the In the Philippines, the news is outbreak of SARS in 2003 (Chen, 2020). filled with stories of controversies and Taiwan’s local officials have been tasked accomplishments of local officials. Five to provide services to those who are in NCR LGUs have received high approval quarantine to contain the virus as much ratings – Valenzuela, Pasig, Manila, as possible (Yen, 2020). As much as they Marikina, and Taguig, for their effective are handling the pandemic effectively, and efficient delivery of services during Taiwan’s application to join the World pandemic (Lalu, 2020). Vico Sotto, for Health Organization keeps getting example, the mayor of Pasig, has been rejected because of China’s claim over making the rounds on social media for them. Taiwan’s membership in the his efforts, such as the practical and on- WHO would have them provide time delivery of 1 billion cash aid to processes on how to contain the virus those who are affected (Sabillo, 2020). (Yen, 2020). It is then implied that While, Isko Moreno, the mayor of female leaders across the world are Manila, launches a mobile coronavirus handling the situation well,to provide test center and a walk-in testing center models on how to contain the virus in Quirino Grandstand (ABS-CBN effectively. News, 2020). Together with Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, he also Philippines’ Vice President Leni purchased “remdesivir” vials to Robredo has herCOVID-19 efforts, kickstart “trials” to treat those infected despite being downplayed at and even with the virus (Lalu G., 2020). Lastly, procuring her funds – as she raised Marcy Teodoro opens almost Php 55 million, coming from Marikina’sCOVID-19 laboratory to donations, public fundraising, and even accommodate more tests, despite the her own office’s fund (Cator, 2020). She DOH’s rejection to operate immediately is being praised for her transparency on and testing at least 6,000 tricycle drivers where and how the funds are allocated in the city (Bajo, 2020). It is seen that and where it was given (Cator, 2020). most male officials have their priorities www.assembleajournal.org 8 Lagon, E.J. A Gendered View on the responses of Select LGUs during the COVID-19 Pandemic and interests to be aligned with what One can say that their identities as the people need as of this moment. women – being “motherly” and having empathy as their dominant trait can be On the other side of the their very strength to handle a crisis. spectrum, some officials that seem to be (Carbonaro, 2020). Compassionate, in mishandling the situation. Mayor Joy this accord, can be attributed to the Belmonte of Quezon City is a highly prioritization of human security and controversial figure during this health, and this is what the driving force pandemic due to her handling the case. of some women leaders (Carbonaro, The delay in the delivery of cash aid 2020). However, it goes beyond than just sparked the protests on Sitio San Roque, the gender of their leaders, but on the which is considered a violation of the citizens that elected them (Champoux- Bayanihan as One Act for illegal Paille & Croteau, 2020). gathering (ABS-CBN News, 2020). For observers and to her constituents, it is It is leaning towards the equal considered as a lack of action in participation of women in the civil Belmonte’s part for not providing relief society, meaning that rather than being for her people. She also became a homogenous (i.e., men only or women controversial figure when we vented her only groups), it is much better and more anger on social media, attacking those effective to encourage both men and who question her “kits” with her name women to be participative in civil on it (ABS-CBN News, 2020). She stated society (Champoux - Paille & Croteau, that those who hate her ways couldopt 2020).It is implied that when men and not to receive aid from her, alluding to women are given a chance to take part her slow response to provide relief for in policy-making, they are acquiring her constituents (ABS-CBN News, 2020). complete and ample solutions rather Another controversial female figure is than having monotonous ones. So what the Cebu City governor, Gwendolyn are the possible insinuations of this to Garcia. She became a hot topic after the narrative of LGUs in the shaming doctors and encouraging Philippines? For one, Vico Sotto or Isko ‘tuob’, which has proven not to Moreno cannot handle that much alleviateCOVID-19 symptoms (Abatayo, responsibility alone, and they had to be 2020). However, these narratives beg surrounded by competent people (men whether or not these stated examples of and women alike) that will assist them male and female leaders do have their in the delivery of services to the people - priorities and interests in order, and if especially on the part of Mayor Moreno, so, does this make them an effective wherein he has the help of Vice Mayor leader during a crisis situation? Honey Lacuna in the effective and efficient delivery of services in the City ‘GENDERED’ LEADERSHIP of Manila (Siytangco, 2020). Vice President Leni Robredo will not be able On a surface level, one can to procure as many funds all by herself. conclude those female leaders are more She had to be surrounded by her staff effective leaders during the pandemic. www.assembleajournal.org 9 ASSEMBLEA ISSN: 2704-4610 Special Issue No. 1, 2020 and people who support her cause, to be of gender, but rather, how empathy, able to actualize her efforts in this leadership, and setting priorities can co- situation. This simply implies that exist and provide relief to their subjects. gender plays no role in the leadership The Philippine example demonstrates skills of officials during the pandemic this perfectly. Everybody hopes for the and refutes the argument that men and pandemic to be over soon. While the women have different views that make return to normal is still a long shot, local them useful in the pandemic – differing officials will have to do everything in opinions is one thing, competence, and their power to be able to provide the effectiveness of the leaders and the services that their constituents expect people, no matter the gender, that from them. After all, as the Constitution surrounds them is another. What does would state, public office is a public that spell out for Mayor Joy Belmonte trust. and Governor Gwen Garcia? For one, it may be assumed that their priorities may not be on the human security and health given their controversial bouts. However, people cannot totally account for the fact that they are not “empathic” as women or as individuals. Instead, their political interests must have a more significant weight than societal interests or even public health concerns.