The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost all industries as it imposed challenges in physical collaboration and mobility affecting the normal ways of doing things.
One of the difficulties encountered is in the retrieval of physical office files; but, due to the limited mobility and entrance to company premises, this retrieval becomes almost impossible thus affecting the customers down the line. Further, paper-driven offices cannot proceed with their official transactions unless the signatories have signed in the official printed documents. Many organizations have fallen pray to the lures of the pandemic and was closed until the pandemic comes to a full stop.
There are organizations that have made a bold stand and significantly adapted to the great shift. Some of these are in the field of education, transportation, construction, and food and beverage.
As to education, teachers are faced with the issue to modularize and made use of online instructions so the vast majority of students can have access to education despite the new modalities. Some schools have transitioned from traditional method into online equivalent. Some schools have changed into developers of understandable User-Experience (UX) training centers to provide manpower to the upcoming trend in digital mobile applications and desktop platforms.
As to transportation, commuters face hassle due to limited rides and very strict personal protective equipment/gear requirements from the drivers. The drivers as well need to clean and sanitize regularly their vehicle. This industry is also modernized today in the introduction of modern jeepneys equipped with CCTV cameras, automatic payment and collection system, and some with contact tracing modules.
As to construction, this industry reduced 50% of its operation due to rules imposed by the government. However, this industry remains strong because it is a direct response to the Build, Build, Build program. Majority of the contractors have employed cloud computing technologies for their delivery of situational reports and other reporting requirements.
As to food and beverage, this industry managed to survive because of the availability of the food and beverage delivery services such as Food Panda, Grab Food and other. These online presences have made way to the creation of a new service industry which complements the current food and beverage sector.
In general, the industries that survived have one thing in common: they are data-driven organizations and are using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions in their operations. Companies no longer require physical documents but instead use online tools to generate office reports, collaborative approvals and other cloud computing technologies.
It’s a new work concept that needs support and rapid adaption of technology.
ETEL as an MEPF contractor, has been one of the agents of this change in the service to the public by providing free WiFi access in partnership with the Philippine government through its Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). As a result, majority of the public spaces in the Western Visayas region particularly in the provincial areas such as Plazas, Municipal Hall, the PNP stations and the Health Stations are now equipped with Free WiFi so as they can access education, transportation, and food and beverage websites or applications.