Protecting the Police and Other Frontliners During COVID-19

The whole country is under the state of calamity, and all concerned government agencies (such as DOH, DSWD, and DOLE), law enforcement agencies (PNP and AFP), private and public hospitals, and local government units are being mobilized to respond and fight against the COVID-19 threat.


Several Filipinos can work from home during this health crisis, while police officers serve as frontliners on keeping the public safe. Since President Rodrigo R. Duterte imposed an enhanced community quarantine, the police are performing their critical jobs to ensure that Filipinos are practicing social and physical distancing. Checkpoints are placed in every province and municipality down to the barangay in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. Being one of the first responders during this outbreak, this leaves the police at a higher risk for catching the said virus. So how do the government, organizations, and the public support and protect the police and other crucial professions during the pandemic? It's through protective measures, social benefits, and long-term plans such as shelter-in-place, hazard pay, PPEs, and police loan.

Ensuring Police Officers' Health and Safety

Like health professionals, the police and other frontliners will most likely encounter an infected individual. They are facing the potential hazards of contracting the novel coronavirus themselves. Government officials and even the citizens understand the risk that the police are in. Hence, government officials and several Filipinos continue to provide and donate basic needs, accommodations, and PPEs to law enforcement officers. Currently, front liners are also prioritized and given a broad consideration when it comes to transportation, supermarkets, and banks. In line with this, alternative staffing methods are also practiced to effectively cover essential duties.

Supporting Their Families' Needs

In the name of service, police officers sacrifice a lot. Many are required to be away from their families for extended periods. There are obligations inside and outside of work like thinking about the potential of their family members falling ill, and lack of funds create fear and anxiety for police officers. Currently, the staff members who have been asked to report for duty are now receiving hazard pay. Meanwhile, savings and loan associations in the Philippines, such as the PSSLAI, offer hassle-free and low-interest police loans to instantly provide extra funds to support their families. Loan applications are made online for faster approval and easier fund transfer.

The critical role that our police and other first responders play shapes the effectiveness of the government's plans to slow down the spread and eliminate COVID-19. Aside from providing and offering shelter-in-place, hazard pay, PPEs, and police loan to ensure police officers' health and safety and support their families' needs, let's hope that our government will also develop a better contingency plan that will also serve those who protect: our frontliners.