In the Eyes of the Lesser Known Frontliners

The onset of the pandemic was a big blow to all of us. Regardless of life status, gender, age, or whatsoever, we all felt the impact that it brought not only to our health but to all other aspects of our everyday lives. We used to think it was just a common flu that would pass and die down in a matter of weeks. But as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, with no vaccine yet available, we began to understand the seriousness of the situation.

But more than seeing what has become of us and our new normal lifestyles, we also need to keep our eyes open on the situation of the people who are directly affected by the pandemic. Some of those are the healthcare workers who tirelessly do their jobs just to keep us all safe. The jeepney drivers, the policemen, the military. They are all part of the group who are out there, trying to beat the enemy they can’t see. But there are also those who are not in the spotlight, the lesser known ones - the farmers. We might not see them out in the checkpoints, or in the hospitals on full shift, but they are just in the backend of the story. Everyday they start out the whole food chain process by dedicating their lives to the farm. How are they during this crisis? Have they been faring well?

In the early days of covid, it was the farmers who were greatly affected. Most of their harvests have rotted because of overstocking. They really felt the impact because businesses have closed and restaurants had to stop operating. Most small scale market vendors also had to temporarily stop their transactions with these farmers because of the nationwide quarantines imposed by the government. This made the farmers practically penniless. Their only source of living has been put to a hold. But by the day, it was also the farmers who propelled us all to gradual improvement. Since people are now more conscious with their food buying habits, and we all want to eat healthy and organic, farmers slowly saw the silver lining. Because it is their produce that keeps us all going. Without the farmers, we wouldn’t have enough supply of vegetables and fruits and livestock that would guarantee us a healthy source of food.

With the highly important role of farmers, some of Davao's best resorts like Malagos Garden Resort have also shifted gears to collaborating more with farmers and homegrown suppliers to provide essential food supply to the public. Resorts in Davao shifted to the new normal through online selling of produce and other healthy stuff that we need. Aside from this, Malagos furthered their efforts through expanding their products to plants. Malagos Garden Resort’s potted plants are now available on their online platform malagoshomegrownproduce.com in an effort to help out these lesser known frontliners. Check them out today.