64 Addressing Inequality During the Pandemic 262 Women are at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic as they make up almost 70% of the healthcare workforce, exposing them to greater risk of infection, while they are under-represented in leadership and decision-making processes in the health care sector.237 In the Philippines, the health profession is dominated by women (75%) and the young. Even before the pandemic, the human resources for health already faced long-standing issues related to low pay, high turnover rate of trained personnel, and out-migration of the country’s experienced health professionals. This has been further highlighted in the pandemic.238 263 Access to SRHR including maternal health services continues to be an issue. On 18 March 2021, it was reported that a stranded woman gave birth on the streets in Pasay City with the help of her husband. The report states that the couple were from Iligan City in Lanao del Norte and were stranded in Metro Manila during the lockdown. They were temporarily staying in front of the World Trade Center when the wife gave birth.239 In another report a woman gave birth inside a tricycle while on her way to get the results of her swab test, a requirement for hospital admission. While the woman in this case was successfully assisted by her first responders despite complications, it highlights the continuing risks posed by the current crisis exacerbated by the admission requirements.240 264 Being pregnant and giving birth during a pandemic is also more expensive, more difficult and challenging. Pre-natal check ups are disrupted or have to be adjusted to online or teleconsultations. Finding a hospital is also challenging when giving birth. Some pregnant women who gave birth during the pandemic said that costs are higher as RT-PCR tests costing PhP3,000 to 5,000 are required prior to admission. Hospitals also charge for personal protective equipment (PPEs) used by the patient. With these additional costs, pregnant women who belong to the marginalized sectors are expected to be the most affected, and most unable to access the needed care.241 265 In case of maternal mortality, POP Com’s Executive Director has admitted that pregnant women could be part of the “collateral damage” of the health crisis. More specifically, he shared how pregnant women have been turned away by hospitals and instead encouraged to go to lying in clinics. He was further quoted as saying ‘these are still scattered reports from areas where there was high incidence of COVID-19. So there is collateral effect of COVID in terms of mothers not getting the higher level of care at the right time.” The Executive Director also stressed that while women are not COVID-19 patients, some needed high level care, and failure to access such care render them at risk and vulnerable.242 266 From January to June of 2021, the GBV reporting portal has received 35 reports including those from CHAD, of this 5 involved members of the PNP as perpetrators, and 8 from other 237 OECD. Women at the Core of the Fight Against COVID – 19 pandemic. OECD. 20 April 2020. https://www.oecd.org/ coronavirus/policy-responses/women-at-the-core-of-the-fight-against-covid-19-crisis-553a8269/. (accessed 31 August 2021) 238 PIDS. Human Resource for Health in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Does the Philippines Have Enough?. PIDS. 18 August 2020. https://www.uppi.upd.edu.ph/research/covid-19/rb8 (accessed 31 August 2021) 239 Mendoza, E. Woman stranded in Pasay gives birth to healthy baby on street; paramedic tells story. Inquirer. Net. 18 May 2021. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1433496/stranded-woman-in-pasay-gave-birth-on-street-paramedic-tells-fullstory-2 (accessed 31 August 2021) 240 GMA News. Woman about to get swab test result give birth in tricycle. GMA News. 1 July 2021. https://www. gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/793728/woman-about-to-get-swab-test-result-gives-birth-in-tricycle/story/ (accessed 31 August 2021) 241 Commission on Human Rights Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights Center. (2021). Gender Ombud Report: January to June 2021 242 Jaymalin, M. POP COM sees higher mortality rate. Philstar. 5 May 2021. https://www.philstar.com/ headlines/2021/05/05/2095970/popcom-sees-higher-maternal-mortality (accessed 31 August 2021)