‘Be cautious in reopening economy amid pandemic’

BACOLOD City – An infectious disease expert said caution should be observe as communities return to normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the 82nd Charter Day celebration of this city on Thursday, Dr. Dolores Rommela Ruiz said “COVID created a drastic socioeconomic and political impact and we cannot remain in quarantine for long.”

She warned though that “we have to be cautious in going back to some degree of normalcy because we can have irreparable damage and consequences.”

Ruiz said we have to arm ourselves, “control the reservoir and interrupt transmission (of the virus).”

“We must concentrate on preventing the spread of the virus by observing health protocols, like wearing of face masks in public places, and observing cough etiquette. We have to practice the fundamentals of infection control. It has to be a way of life,” she added.

Ruiz said we need to have more quarantine facilities as containment measures both in hospitals and the community.

She also suggested that “we strengthen disease surveillance and capacity building; and empower more healthcare workers and the community by training them about best practices.”

“I challenge each and every Bacolodnon to stand up and be vigilant. We shouldn’t be underestimating the virus that does not sleep. We have to work as one community regardless of your affiliation. We have to overcome this pandemic together,” Ruiz added.

 

OPTIMISTIC

Mayor Evelio Leonardia asked residents to be optimistic amid the pandemic.

“As Bacolod had survived the many trying times in the past, so shall our city rise from the challenges of the coronavirus,” the mayor said.

Leonardia cited the tragedy of the M/V Don Juan, the sugar crisis, and the big fires that hit the city – all of which Bacolod had weathered through, he said.

“For sure, we are going to survive! It’s proven and tested that Bacolod had survived too many crises. Never mind the weather as long as we are together. But once the weather gets fine, let us do it with a vengeance. Let us take back what we had lost from the coronavirus,” he said.

He said the COVID problems in Bacolod have somehow been manageable, because of the hard work and teamwork of city officials.

The mayor thanked Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and the councilors for working hard with him in the fight against COVID.

Present in the Charter Day rites were former Bacolod mayors Luzviminda “Joy” Valdez and Rolando Villamor; Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Renecito Novero, Al Victor Espino, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ana Marie Palermo, Lady Gles Pallen, and Ayesha Joy Villafor.

Joining them were City Administrator Em Ang, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Edward Joseph Cuansing, Executive Assistants George Zulueta, Celestino Guara, Moises dela Cruz, and City Hall department heads; DILG- Bacolod director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, DepEd Bacolod OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Glady Amylaine Sales, Philippine Coast Guard- Negros Occidental provincial head Commander Jansen Benjamin, officials of the Filipino-Chinese community, and representatives of various government agencies.

This was now the second year that the City is celebrating its Charter Day on June 18, after it had celebrated the occasion every October 19 in the past 80 years.