90 Tadem the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) as well as the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), these have not been sufficient and consistent enough to make up for the loss of jobs and livelihood and consequent widespread hunger that resulted from the overly long lockdown and quarantine imposed by official authorities. The implementation of SAP, for one, has been found wanting in terms of its extremely limited amounts, non-inclusiveness and selectiveness, slow and stressful processes, at times arbitrary distribution systems, and limited capacities of local government units. BKP also wished that free COVID-19 testing could be undertaken by government to ease apprehensions within the community. On the other hand, the resumption of a cloth-weaving livelihood project provided some income for participants. These were sold in local markets. BKP also commissioned face masks from a nearby partner organization, the Gaya-gaya women sewers which were distributed to its members. Policy recommendations While the experiences of grassroots organizations featured in this report illustrate the various ways by which the pandemic has adversely impacted their lives, as well as how government is challenged on how to alleviate the suffering of its people, the cases also demonstrate their productive capacities and resilience. Yet, it is undeniable that there is room for the improvement of policy and program implementation. Drawing from the five cases as well from groups representing marginalized sectors, we present seven policy recommendations. These recommendations are of an immediate nature— measures that the government can undertake at the shortest possible time provided the appropriate and applicable perspective on the crisis is adopted, the proper political will is asserted, and the sense of urgency is appreciated and internalized. Adopt a new paradigm at the national level of a “whole-of-society approach” The “whole-of-government” approach is inadequate for all aspects of addressing the pandemic crisis. It has also been proven to be less than efficient while breeding an authoritarian mindset and “top-to-bottom” practices among government leaders and functionaries. In some cases, this approach can work if the proper health environment exists, an efficient and timely mass information system is functioning, sufficient preparations have been made, and an early and quick response system is in place before the outbreak. All of these conditions were absent in the Philippine case. The proposal therefore is for a shift to a “whole-of-society” approach which entails “partnership building between government and all stakeholders of society …, dialogue (and) formulation of a unified or common agenda on how the government and the broad civil society can collaborate and work together …, government engaging the