# data[].attributes.body
Based on what I observed in our Philippine government is that it struggles in controlling the pandemic nowadays. They are having a hard time implementing their rules and the said "new normal" to the people because we are not used to it. I can still see injustice and corruption in the government because the budget that is meant for the people are slowly disappering and being corrupted by some government officials and its sad that our goverment still have that kind of mindset. The society as well is having a hard time adapting to the new normal because not everyone are privileged enough and capable to support the means of living nowadays especially that a lot of employees got affected with the pandemic.
Sittie Nur Jasmerah Salong, 21 Iligan City

# data[].attributes.body
In my own opinion, the present Philippine society faces pandemic, poverty, unemployment, lack of education, dying patriotism among its citizens, freedom of speech is suppressed, and the growing use of social media as a platform to negatively criticize people. These are just a few of the many negative things that Philippine society is facing.
However, because of the pandemic "Bayanihan" was showed among Filipinos. Many of our kababayan helped one another in their simple way. For me, the government is doing their best to eradicate this pandemic but it does not necessarily mean that their ways are effective but regardless of how the government would like to solve the present issues we are facing today, I believe that the people of itself is a very huge part of the solution.
The government is not perfect and they had a lot of lapses and there's a lot of controversies regarding the leaders of today however, instead of thinking that the government is the problem and a lot of the people causes many more setbacks in today's situation, let's be part of the solution by simply being openminded, strictly follows the
Covid protocol, empathetic, spreading positivity and eliminating our toxic traits. The government can only do so much but the citizens have a great impact if all of us cared even a little to be a better citizen for a better country.

Hazel Jane Yu Paquibut
21, PRK-2 Mago-ong Linamon, LDN

# data[].attributes.body
As we all know, the current state of Philippine society and government isn’t ideal. We’re aware that the pandemic has hugely affected each one of us in various ways. I understand that everyone is having difficulties in dealing such situation. Hence, some government officials still lack focus to the main issue and they’re not really doing their job which is somehow frustrating.

No government is perfect but at least, they should have tried harder to cope with these kind of instances. Particularly with our healthcare system, it’s totally sad to witness healthcare providers not getting enough incentives for their hard work and effort.

As for the society, people barely understand one another due to conflicts between the government. Majority are against the administration and once they knew that you’re supporting it, they’ll attack you for your choice, it happens usually and vice versa.

Thus, I hope the Filipino will be united mostly in this time of crisis. We should not drag each other down but instead help to lift up one another in order to defeat this catastrophe of our lives. According to a quote, “together we stand, divided we fall”. Filipinos should remain strong and undefeated regardless of any situations
Richelle Grace Romero, 22 Del Carmen, Iligan

# data[].attributes.body
The Philippine society is blended by a unique diversity which is culturally influenced by Spanish-American. Asia's biggest population of Catholicism brought by the Spaniards who plays a big role in shaping the country's culture. Present times, the Philippines is much more engage with the East Asian culture with the influence of Korean and Japanese entertainment that people are now fond of following their trends. Blinded by money and wealth, Filipinos were trying to climb up from poverty by dating or selling themselves to foreign people for the sake of money.

The recently Philippine government the recent administration have finally increased salaries of some profession such as the army and the police and the teachers. They provided scholarships to state university students, cleaned up Boracay Island and Manila Bay. They defended Marawi so well and won the battle during Marawi seige. The martial law implementation is a good security for the rest of Mindanao for the rest of the year in 2017.

However, as the time goes by the government's track record regarding hyman rights and democracy is undoubtedly disturbing. It has knock out human rights, its political opponents and the country's democratic institutions. Extrajudicial killings were rampant and innocent lives were killed not knowing if they were real drug dealers or pushers or it was just some planted evidence. The administration's assault on human rights and democracy is also alarming.

The Philippine government is not keen on banning travel to China amid the coronavirus scare. The administration priorities its relationship with China than the health and safety of the people. Corruption was never abolished and the 15 billion worth was stolen by Philhealth in a snap when it is where the COVID-19 vaccine fund should come from. They invested a lot for their building projects but debts were increasing left and right. The present administration will leave behind a record of P13.7 trillion debt as soon as the highest authority would step down in 2022 as the government borrows more in the near-term to fight the COVID-19. However during the pandemic many economies in the world suffered from lockdown. Negligence of handling the pandemic has caused the damage to the economy and employment of the people collapsed. Health Secretary of DOH shows failure of leadership, negligence, lack of foresight and inefficiency in performance. Clearly incompetent and indecisive as he failed to submit the documents needed for Pfizer vaccine deal where they could have a secure delivery of 10 million Pfizer vaccines as early as January 2021. Worth almost 400 million of Dolomite sand were wasted for Manila bay but why not use it to help COVID victims instead.

Exhausted medical workers and underpaid for years. Scientists were neglected by the government their expert advice and warnings especially on disaster risk reduction. Health workers bore the greatest burden while caring the entire nation on their backs and while treated poorly in more ways than one. Heavy workload, inadequate compensation, low supplies, high occupational risk, physically, emotionally and mentally burnout.

Doctors should have a position in the government unlike other countries they prioritise and highly respected the medical professionals to lead its health system than putting retired generals on the spot. The administration appointed a police violator of a protocol in the midst of the strictest quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic to Chief PNP which is kind of absurd just because he's a privileged man.
Lynitte Salvan, 21 Iligan City

# data[].attributes.body
From my standpoint, maybe the economy in the Philippines changes over time but still, we can't despise grafts and corruption. As time goes by, it's even getting worse. A lot of corruption goes unnoticed by the government because there is a lot of corrupt people in there. Corruption is a big issue since it drains the capability of our nation to progress. Efficiency is low and there are political dynasties that treat politics as a business. A lot of corrupt government officials don't get big punishments and they get voted again.
I think the best solution to eliminate corruption is to make the judiciary process more efficient, monitor the actions of politicians, implement our laws against corruption, punish the corrupt, and create a system of honesty and good service.

Ardys Joy C. Salas
24, P-5 Salabao St. Saray, Iligan City