ILOILO City – Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Citing the number of persons under monitoring (980) and persons under investigation (27) here for possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he said a lockdown may be imposed.
“In emergency situations like this, speed is crucial. We have to move fast so we can stop the virus from spreading, and save lives,” according to Treñas.
He cited two reported deaths in two separate hospitals here.
“You know, ang aton diri kay wala kita mga test kits (for COVID-19, we can’t be certain about the cases). Seguro the most logical nga obrahon ta is considered them as already (COVID-19) positive,” said Treñas.
According to the mayor, he already informed the governors of various provinces in Western Visayas about his plan to put the city in a lockdown.
He mentioned Guimaras’ Gov. Samuel Gumarin, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Aklan’s Gov. Florencio Miraflores, and Capiz’s Gov. Esteban Contreras.
“They are waiting for our lead. Kon ano aton obra, obrahon man nila,” said Treñas.
During a lockdown, only “essential establishments” would be allowed to operate so that residents could continue accessing essential goods for their daily needs, he said.
Treñas revealed he already conferred with the managements of supermarkets and pharmacies and they assured him of the supply of goods.
He also told Panay New of having secured assurances of cooperation from managements of various malls.
The malls would be shutting down, including their tenant stores, should there be a lockdown, said Treñas.
The movement of people would be further reduced, according to the mayor, not only of those entering and leaving the city but even of people within the city.
“You can’t just leave your house all the time. Do so only when seeking out essential needs such as medicines and food. But essential businesses should remain open such as banks, gas stations…We will be identifying these essential businesses,” said Treñas.
For the barangays, the mayor said, the city government is already preparing barangay day care centers for the provision of community/mobile kitchens.
Iloilo City has 180 barangays.
Treñas assured Ilonggos there is no need to panic.
“This is best of everybody. I hope everyone will cooperate,” he said.
Just this March 16, the city government started imposing travel restrictions. Treñas prohibited the “non-essential entry of persons travelling by sea” until April 14.
Executive Order (EO) No. 050 identified the following as “non-essential entry”:
* people travelling by sea from Metro Manila (and its cities), Batangas seaport through the roll-on/roll-off ports
* people travelling by sea who, prior to entering Iloilo City, can be shown to have come from the 120 countries identified by the World Health Organization as having cases of COVID-19
Immune-compromised people or those who are at a higher risk of being infected by COVID-19 (such as senior citizens, children, and pregnant women) are also listed in the EO as “non-essential entry”.
“They shall be subjected to the protocols, decision tools and triages issued by accredited health authorities, and escorted to their respective residences for voluntary home quarantine,” read the EO.
Treñas also announced that the two-week cancellation of classes in all levels – which starts today – will be extended until April 14 instead of March 31.
“All students are required to stay at home and be safe to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.
Treñas tasked the Iloilo City Police Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Coast Guard to enforce the border restriction.
Cargo ships will be allowed to enter Iloilo City, Treñas said, subject to the guidelines from the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bureau of Quarantine.
However, the crew or passengers of the cargo ships or vessels cannot be allowed to disembark, the EO stressed./PN
