ILOILO – The local government unit (LGU) of Banate town requested a “time-out” for locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
Mayor Carlos Cabangal Jr. asked the Western Visayas Regional Task Force on COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) if the LGU could bar LSIs from entering the town beginning Sept. 11 to Sept. 25.
Coronavirus cases in the municipality are “precariously diminishing our meager resources as well as our designated isolation/quarantine facilities which as of now are almost at full capacity,” said Cabangal.
On Sept. 8, the Rural Health Unit recorded 16 new COVID cases, the mayor added.
“This temporary suspension will give our frontliners a chance to refresh their energies. They have been working tirelessly for months now since the pandemic began,” Cabangal stressed.
Cabangal clarified that only the acceptance of LSIs would be suspended. The LGU will continue to receive returning overseas Filipinos.
As of Sept. 4, there were 62 active cases in Banate: Alacaygan (four), Zona Sur (11), Carmelo (14), San Salvador (three), Talokgangan (two), Poblacion (one), Bularan (eight), Libertad (four), Merced (five), Dela Paz (two), Managopaya (one), Bobon (three), Magdalo (one), Bariga (one), Belen (one), and Fuentes (one).
Cabangal urged residents to adhere to the minimum health protocols by wearing facemask, frequent hand washing and observing social distancing.
The mayor also reminded residents not to leave their homes unless necessary to avoid risk of transmission./PN
