Maldives-based Pinay shares experience in COVID-hit 'tourist republic'

A 38-year-old Pinay customer service manager for 11 years in a leading provider of cleaning and sanitation solutions to the Maldivian hospitality industry has recounted what she has gone through in a “country solely dependent on tourism” during lockdown since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the republic. 

“Sobrang naiyak ako. Halos isang buwan akong nasa bahay lang. Apektado operations ng company namin at mahina ang benta pero ako ay may trabaho araw-araw. Hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan financially kasi mabait amo ko, sinuportahan kami,” narrates Judith Mallari who is also a solo parent with three children from Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

"Pero marami pa rin ang nawalan ng trabaho gawa ng ang pinagkakakitaan dito ay turismo. Nauwi sila ng Pinas. ‘Di pa alam kelan makakabalik,” she added in an interview via Messenger on August 19.

Maldives is among the countries in Asia hit hardest by the pandemic, crossing the 5,000 mark recently.

Travel in and out of the Greater Male region is only possible with a special permit, businesses including shops and restaurants are closed by 9:30 p.m. (local time), and masks covering the nose, mouth, and chin are mandatory when outdoors. 

It’s just a good thing that, as Mallari has observed, her fellow overseas Filipino workers there in Maldives are helping each other out.

“Dito, nagkakaisa ang mga Pilipino. Nagtutulungan sa panahon ngayon. Napaka-supportive din ng Honorary Consulate na si Mr. Abdulla Adam at ang Honorary Consul na si Mr. Abdulla Salih.”

“May magilan-ngilan ng resort ang nag-open. Sumusunod naman sa health protocol dito ang mga company resort at mga tao. May multa ang walang mask at may curfew, 10pm to 5:00 am. All shops din, may markings kung ilan lang allowed na tao to enter the shop.”

As early as June, the World Bank drafted a $7.3 million project aiming to assist Maldives “prevent, detect, and respond to the coronavirus and strengthen the preparedness of its public health” while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is going to provide $1 million additional assistance. —LBG, GMA News