A sack of rice, the modern wage gap, and the COVID-19 crisis
Looking at a sack of rice as an artifact years from now: the embodiment of the modern wage gap during the COVID-19 era in the Philippines
An artifact is described to be an object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest. As members of the human race, it is natural for us to think about the welfare of our future, and what we decide to leave as our legacy in response to this pandemic. It is our utmost responsibility to make sure we do not repeat the mistakes of our past. This is why we must be able to figure out a way to educate the future generations about the state of the world, and more importantly, the state of the country in light of this pandemic. From adequate healthcare to deteriorating economies, COVID-19 is undoubtedly one of the worst phenomena our generation has endured. However, it is also one of the best phenomena that may showcase the capabilities of mankind.
If I were to leave an artifact to symbolize my experience in the era of COVID-19, it would be a sack of uncooked rice, more commonly known to the Filipino as “bigas”. Rice is a predominantly staple food in the Philippines because of its growth compatibility with our climate. It is affordable, delicious, and can last for up to six days without a refrigerator. With the occurrence of this pandemic, there is no doubt that the supply and demand chain are disrupted, as well as the flow of income for laborers nationwide. Karl Marx once said, “The class struggle necessarily leads to the dictatorship of the proletariat.” With the Philippine government declaring a nationwide community quarantine, there is an evident conflict in terms of household access to goods and resources. To the people belonging to the upper and middle class of Philippine society, gaining basic necessities such as rice, is no problem. Rice costs approximately P39.78/kg, which leaves almost no dents in their wallets. To the people who can afford to live comfortably, a sack of rice is a typical find in their household and can be easily replenished as needed.
On the other hand, people belonging to the lower class of Philippine society would view a sack of rice in an entirely alternate perspective. Most individuals belonging to this social class are affected by the “no work, no pay” policy. To them, this pandemic is an absolute nightmare. With little-to-no income, households are forced to meticulously budget their expenses in order to have a meal at least three times a day. Access to basic necessities is almost impossible, and a sack of rice is treasured and rationed to last longer than expected. The occurrence of COVID-19 also calls for the leaders of each nation to step up and address the issue accordingly. As the presidents and prime ministers around the world actively implement the necessary precautions to combat COVID-19, the true colors of the Philippine government are shown. President Duterte allocated P27.1 B worth of funding to provide healthcare supplies and economic relief goods for the people of our country. Contrary to the way the different social classes view a sack of rice, in the perspective of the Philippine government, a sack of rice is a relief good; a relief good that they should be distributing the households that need it most. To the government, a sack of rice is a responsibility they choose to turn away from.
In the era of COVID-19, a sack of rice not only highlights a staple food in the Philippines, but it highlights the greater divide between the rich and the poor, and the government’s responsibility to administer economic relief. I believe that we need to show the future generations that this pandemic was not an “equalizer”. It did not bring us together as a nation, if anything, it just showed us that inequality is more prevalent in times of crisis. We must teach the future generations to show more compassion and be more competent in addressing societal issues. As the saying goes, “Who are we as human beings if we ignore the suffering of others?”
References
Updates on Palay, Rice and Corn Prices Week 4 of March 2020 | https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Updates%20on%20Palay%2C%20Rice%20and%20Corn%20Prices%2C%20Week%204%20of%20March%202020.pdf
Traditional foods and their geographical relevance | https://owt-thephilippines.weebly.com/staple-foods.html
Gov’t economic team rolls out P27.1 B package vs COVID-19 pandemic | https://www.dof.gov.ph/govt-economic-team-rolls-out-p27-1-b-package-vs-covid-19-pandemic/
Monique Cruz is an 18-year old Senior High School student from the Philippines, and Content Editor to the Of The People publication. If you’d like to have your work featured in our platform (whether visual or text), you may send in a submission to our email here.
