Civil society group leader wants clarification on ‘sudden’ MECQ order

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – The founder and national commander of a civil society organization based in Bacolod is seeking clarification on what he called the “sudden” placement of the city under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ).

Task Force Kasanag (TFK) founder John Chiong said he is also seeking clarification as to the extent of the participation of medical experts as military officers are deployed to certain areas under a community quarantine classification.

Chiong said he agrees that health protocols must be strictly imposed even in the homes “because the pandemic is no ordinary thing and everyone must do his share to contain it.”

“But prior to the implementation of any community quarantine measure, the people especially the ‘remedyo heneral’ must be given time to prepare to ensure they will have food on their table when they are not allowed to go out,” he said.

Even the local government units covered by any new quarantine measure are affected especially if they are not given two or three days to prepare, he added.

“I suggest that the medical experts in the inter-agency task forces must be given more say in coming up with effective measures against the spread of the virus although the retired military officers can help in employing some workable strategies, as long as they first consider the plight of the ordinary people,” Chiong said, adding that he will write the Office of the President to seek some clarifications as to the recent action in Bacolod.

Chiong reminded local officials to prioritize the food assistance of their poor constituents during lockdowns.

He said he will furnish the media copies of his letter to President Rodrigo Duterte on the clarifications he wanted to ask especially about declaring Bacolod under MECQ.