What is the new normal in the Philippines? Here’s what I observed during these quarantine days either ECQ or GCQ or MGCQ –
2. All malls, offices, banks, stores, restaurants provide alcohol for our hands whether thru a security guard or self-service.
3. Social distancing is also encouraged and practiced. Jeepneys are required to install a plastic barrier in between passengers and its passenger capacity is only at 50%. Inside the bus, a seat that is good for 3 is required to sit 2 and the seats good for 2, only 1 person can sit. In the malls, banks and passenger terminals, people are asked to line up with a one meter distance from each other. Hence, you have to be early so you can finish all your errands. Some banks limit their client capacity at 100 person per day. Some banks closes at 12noon. And lastly, plastic barriers are everywhere. Can't complain though.
4. ATM card is a must. During the ECQ when no public transportation is available, it was a challenge to us since our location is far from the main economic hub and far from banks. I appreciated it really well that Palawan Money Express accommodates ATM withdrawals with only P15 as service charge like any other ATM’s that does not belong to your bank. Really convenient. Also the use of debit and credit cards limit our exposure to the virus as we don't know the origins of cash during purchases.
5. Internet is also one of the necessary services that we need. Communications, working at home, finding a job online, starting an online business are not the only ones that we can avail from the net. Soon, our kids will have online classes as schools are also gearing up for the opening of classes with kids staying at home for a a quarter or so until a vaccine is found.
6. The need to homeschool our kids will be on the rise. Those who can afford with time and money, enrolling their children in a homeschool program will be the trend. There are already existing homeschool programs in the country.
7. PAYMAYA or GCASH account is very convenient. Why? SSS Wage Subsidies sent their payouts to PAYMAYA. Need a load for your prepaid sim? No need to find a loader, you can load your mobile phone through Paymaya or GCash at a discounted price. We also paid our electric and internet bills through them. No need to fall in line and no need to worry about transportation and social distancing.
8. Money couriers, I appreciate them. You don't need to go far to meet somebody to hand in cash or receive cash. Just send them through Palawan Express, Cebuana Lhuillier, MLhuiller, RD Cash Padala, LBC Pera Padala among others. Really convenient!
9. Food and goods delivery. Now, this is the top highest grossing service created ever. Those who are in the delivery service are angels. It is really convenient when you are stuck at home and can't go out because of the many limitations brought about by the pandemic.
10. Vegetable garden. Many homes are now into vegetable gardening. There is a rise in the thought that we need to grow our own food so we don't need to go out to buy food and be exposed to the virus. Plus the prices of vegetables slightly increased because there is no delivery coming from different sources. Some lost their jobs but still need to feed a family. Vegetable gardening can greatly help to lessen hunger or food poverty.
We can only dream of our past normal lives. What we have now with the new normal, we have to accept, adapt and adjust.
Lastly, infected or not, let us continue to be thankful to our Creator that we are still here on earth, still alive and still enjoying time spent with our family and friends. Forced leave, lost job, no work no pay, need to find a new job are just temporary. Soon we will have a new beginning. Caio!
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