What Google mobility data say about Filipinos amid COVID19 pandemic
MANILA - The Philippine economy contracted for the first time in two decades in the first quarter, due to the Taal Volcano eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the entire Philippines, activity in retail & recreation areas, including restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, theme parks, museums, libraries, and movie theaters, fell 50 percent from a baseline sample. The mobility data tell us Filipinos are not going out. The reason or reasons behind their decision to go out can be manifold, from fear of COVID-19 to civil obedience and observance of quarantine rules, to a lack of transport or funds. But the fact remains, they are staying home, and that is bad for the economy.
The jagged up and downtrend line for mobility in the workplace meanwhile is a reflection of efforts by the private sector to restart their operations . Government has staggered the reopening of the economy based on transmission threat level and importance to survival. When we look at the drop in activity in CALABARZON Retail & Recreation areas, Groceries, Pharmacies, Transit Hubs and Workplaces, we should keep in mind that the baseline sample for these areas are likely already lower compared to what these areas usually experience when Taal Volcano is not erupting.
Metro Manila also continues to report a high number of new COVID-19 cases everyday. The drop in its level of activities in retail and recreation areas is also worse than the national average, at 58 percent. The same goes for its Transit Stations and Workplaces. Again, the data is limited by Google’s ability to collect location information from its users. But the numbers also show confidence, particularly consumer confidence, is not yet strong here.
"Now, people are going out of their homes because the majority would like to work to earn a living.” Leachon says the onus is on the government to support the reopening of the economy through efforts in “improving healthcare capacity e.g testing, isolation, contact tracing, and quarantine.”
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