2022 has been a year of transition for us. Unexpectedly, we experienced changes after nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Last August, schools finally reopened, a boost for education though students realized that, with the return to face-to-face classes, they now have to be more pro-active in their academic performance to get good grades. Moreover, with a higher number of people vaccinated and the easing of health restrictions, it’s business as usual as more establishments have been opened and are running again.
However, in the global and local contexts, high hopes of economic recovery were dashed by the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war in early 2022. Concerns increased about a shortfall in global supplies from Russia, the world’s second-biggest producer of crude oil. Successive oil price hikes since the start of last year have placed an undue burden on big and small transport operators, and on people who need to travel to school or their workplace. It’s a tough time for our country’s economy as the inflation rate soared to a 14-year high of 8% in November 2022. Prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed with the poor bearing the brunt of the oil war spike.
