Assistance and Non-Assistance Before and During the Time of COVID-19

Ferdinand Dagmang; Nathalie Dagmang

Assistance and Non-Assistance Before and During the Time of COVID-19

Authors

Ferdinand Dagmang Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and Maryhill School of Theology https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7966-7788
Nathalie Dagmang Ateneo de Manila University

Keywords:

Helping Behavior, Sidewalk Vendors, Sidewalk Dwellers, COVID-19, Work, Field, Legal Positivism, Pakikipagkapwa, Suki

Abstract

This article is based on a fieldwork among the sidewalk vendors and sidewalk dwellers of Escolta, Manila, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It looks into the treatment of ‘illegals’ in public settings. Before and during the pandemic, street vendors and dwellers were at the mercy of the ‘illegal’ mark—making the state authorities agents of legal positivism. When those recognized as legal by the State have already received monetary and non-monetary assistance, the vendors and dwellers were left on the side of the road waiting for the absent authorities to come while a few individuals had to step in and extend the much-needed customary help—an assistance based on ‘feeling-for-one’s-fellow’ in spite of formal legalities.

Author Biographies

Ferdinand Dagmang, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and Maryhill School of Theology

Dr. Ferdinand D. Dagmang, who obtained his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, is a Professorial Lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and Maryhill School of Theology. His current researches deal with Basic Ecclesial Communities, popular religion, ethics, sexuality, and the effects of structures/systems on theories and practices. His book/final report on Basic Ecclesial Communities: An Evaluation of the Implementation of PCP II in Ten Parishes was released in 2015.

Nathalie Dagmang, Ateneo de Manila University

Nathalie D. Dagmang is a professor of Fine Arts at Ateneo de Manila University. A graduate of Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines, Diliman where she is completing her M.A. in Visual Anthropology. She is local researcher for Manila for the Southeast Asia Neighbourhoods Network organized by the Urban Knowledge Network Asia and International Institute of Asian Studies. She is currently working with both academics and art practitioners on researches that deal with migration, ecology, and urban communities.

Assistance and Non-Assistance Before and During the Time of COVID-19