ADAPTATION OF THE RESIDENTS IN BICOL REGION, PHILIPPINES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The world is in crisis because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Government officials and medical specialists enacted non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to restrain the spread of the Coronavirus. This scenario attracts researchers not only focused on medical and epidemiological aspects but also focused on other related social and applied sciences. Thus this descriptive-quantitative research gathered data through an online survey determined the adaptation of the residents in the Bicol Region, Philippines, to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The study revealed that the 328 resident-respondents ‘moderately agree’ to ‘strongly agree’ to the given statements adaptation-indicators to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Interestingly, the resident-respondents are not only are compliant with the authorities, but they are also observant with the precautionary measures to protect themselves from contamination of the virus. They also exhibited trust and confidence to the Government in the battle against COVID-19. Yet, they are aware of the limitations of the Government more so, with the medical services and facilities of the medical experts. And thus, the present study suggests capacitating healthcare, further reinforced and develop the availability of medical resources and public health to earn conviction among the people who are expecting from the Government and medical authorities particularly amid crisis. Lastly, policies to be formulated related to a pandemic may be inclusive across age, sex and educational levels.Adaptation;                 Pandemic Preparedness;                     Philippines