22 On COVID-19 and the ECQ Period Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of respondents (56.7%) noted that their company closed during the height of the ECQ lockdowns. Of these, 43.4% were closed for a year or more. The rest opened at varying times, from as little as two weeks (15.4%) to within 6-8 months (22.4%). Most respondents (72.2%) were rehired once their companies had resumed operations. Regarding support provided during the temporary suspension of operations, survey participants also replied differently: some received rice, food, aid from the Local Government Unit (LGU), and advanced payment of wages. Others did not receive any form of pandemic assistance. Some also had aid cut from their wages. The same applied to those that experienced the permanent closure of their workplaces. Some respondents received food support or resignation pay, while others were not given anything by their company or received assistance from the LGUs. Of the 7 responses, 3 said they received no form of support whatsoever, 2 received help from the baragay, while one claimed to have been provided support for food needs and resignation pay respectively. To cope with living expenses, many respondents relied on government assistance, donations from private donors, and civil society organizations. Some also borrowed money from relatives, friends, and other sources. The vast majority of respondents were unable to access any form of social security during the suspension or loss of employment. Accessing social protection proved to be a mostly negative experience for most respondents. While one respondent noted that all employees in their place of work received SSS benefits, many complained of the long process for approval and the inability to submit the necessary documents. They also lamented the failure of the company to process their requests or that they were not provided these benefits in the first place.