ILOILO City – Putting the whole city under a total lockdown is out of the question. “A 14-day total lockdown will be very difficult. We’re trying to revive our economy,” according to Mayor Jerry Treñas who is working from home to complete his 14-day quarantine.
But yes to “surgical” lockdown, according to Treñas and last night he ordered this on three villages – Barangay San Juan in Molo district and barangays Pala-Pala 1 and 2 in the City Proper due to rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The three-day lockdown starts at 6 a.m. today.
Treñas assured the people that the city government is strictly enforcing public health safety measures “para ma-avoid ang possibility of (the) infection (spreading).”
The city mayor also ordered the continued closure of the Iloilo Terminal Market for three more days starting today due to its proximity to the three barangays.
The city had 487 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of yesterday, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed. Nine died while 153 recovered.
Of these 487 cases, 376 were local transmissions while 111 were locally stranded individuals and repatriated overseas workers.
Earlier yesterday, Treñas placed five barangays on a three-day surgical lockdown which begins today at 6 a.m. These were barangays Bakhaw, Taft North, Q. Abeto and Bolilao in Mandurriao District, and Tacas in Jaro district.
On Monday night, Treñas announced an additional COVID-19 death – an 85-year-old resident of Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper.
“We’re enforcing precautionary measures to limit the spread of infection,” said Treñas who was exposed to a COVID-19-infected visitor in his office on Aug. 4. He immediately quarantined himself beginning that day. Fortunately yesterday he tested negative for the disease. He would complete his two-week quarantine then resume reporting to his office at city hall.
The precautionary measures are the nightly curfew, liquor ban, moratorium on the return of locally stranded individuals and overseas workers, and “surgical” lockdown of areas with more than five active COVID-19 cases.
Treñas also denied that call centers were being singled out.
“It’s just that very strong ang infection (rate) because of (their) working conditions,” said the mayor.
He was particularly worried about the non-observance of physical distancing by call center personnel.
“Malapit sila sa isa kag isa. Sa ila canteen naga-atubangay sila. We all know nga sa call centers naga-updanay sang smoking break. Aside sina naga-kape kag naga-inum, naga-atubangay man. That is what we’re trying to stop,” said Treñas.
Data from the city government’s COVID-19 team as of yesterday showed a total of 131 call center employees infected with the disease.
Aside from call centers, there’s also a surge in infections at the Iloilo Fish Port Complex in Barangay Tanza, City Proper – 129 as of yesterday.
The probability that local COVID transmissions in Iloilo city and province started at the Iloilo Fish Port Complex – which remains on lockdown – and call centers should not be brushed aside, stressed Treñas.
He thus appealed to mayors in Iloilo province, “Protocols should be enforced extra tight.”
“Learn from our experience in Iloilo City and avoid going through this challenging experience,” said Treñas.
The city’s chief executive acknowledged that some sectors were against the restrictions being imposed such as longer curfew hours and the liquor ban, among others.
“Some are saying there is a drama. Some cannot understand the curfew. Some want to drink beer. Some want to serve food and alcohol up to 9 p.m. I am sorry, I was voted to ensure the safety of everyone and not to serve your whims and caprices,” said Treñas. “There is always an election that you can vote me out.”
“Ang pagtapna sang virus nagasugod sa tagsa-tagsa sa aton. Maghalong kita kag mangin responsible para sa kaayuhan sang tanan,” said Treñas./PN
