City Hall keeps an eye on Koreans

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Authorities are monitoring Korean nationals who arrived in Iloilo City for the RUN (Revival Unity for Next Generation) for Jesus event which was cancelled by the city government on Tuesday.

20 Koreans who were to attend the event arrived at the Kalibo International Airport Monday. Four of them were already in Iloilo City and have been staying at a hotel in Mandurriao district, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The mayor said Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, focal person of the city’s Task Force COVID-19, is closely monitoring the hotel and organizers of the event to confirm the whereabouts of the Korean nationals.

“Dr. Fortuna will go there sa organizers and the hotel and we are hoping that they will cooperate voluntarily,” he said.

Treñas added that he is also coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) Central Office following the executive order he issued on Tuesday declaring Koreans arriving in Iloilo as persons under monitoring.

“I’ve been coordinating with DOH through Regional Director Marlyn Convocar and ginpabalo niya na ang DOH regarding our order. We are also contacting the Philippine National Police (PNP) and as soon as we get the advisory from the central office of DOH, we will act accordingly,” he said.

In his order, the mayor urged passengers from South Korea to voluntarily submit themselves to self-quarantine as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

Around 400 delegates from South Korea were about to attend the “Run for Jesus” event in La Paz district, according to Pastor Robert Senining of the Great Mission Church.

Due to the outbreak, Senining said the Korean delegates decided to forego their participation in the religious event except for the around 37 that have already arrived in the country, he added.

According to Senining, the 37 Koreans have secured medical certificates to prove that they are free from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Treñas appealed to Ilonggos to remain calm despite the presence of Koreans in the metro.

“Ang advise ta sa mga pumuluyo, let us just remain calm. The city is on top of it and our interagency has been meeting regularly. Our Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERTs) will help in monitoring the Koreans,” he said.

The national government has already imposed a travel ban on Filipino tourists travelling to South Korea following the spike of coronavirus, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed on Wednesday.

Reports indicated that South Korea has the second most number of confirmed cases with 1,146, next to China.