DELTA EFFECT: Hard lockdown cripples more sectors in city

Major streets in Iloilo City were once again emptied with the imposition of the hard lockdown as the local government tightens measures against the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19.

The hard lockdown also crippled more sectors in the city who are already hurting from prolonged lockdowns and restrictions amid the pandemic.

Vendors and drivers are among the hardest-hit sectors with the imposition of the hard lockdown which forced residents to stay at home and non-essential businesses to cease operations.

In his 15 years as a trisikad driver, 50-year-old “Jardo” of Veterans Village, City Proper district said this has been the toughest time of his life as the restrictions made it extra difficult to earn.

“Amo gid ni ang pinakabudlay nga sitwasyon subong. Tam-an ka budlay magpasada kay halos wala na sang tawo sa mga kalsada,” Jardo lamented.

Tricycle driver “Tisoy,” 35, also lamented that their daily income nowadays is not enough to sustain the needs of his family.

“Ang amon kita nga P100-P200 kada adlaw indi na gid kasarang para sa amon kinahanglan,” he said.

Tisoy, who proudly showed his vaccination card, said he can only hope that he will be spared from the threats of COVID-19 now that he has been fully inoculated.

When asked for his message to the government and local officials, Tisoy appealed for additional cash assistance and a sack of rice.

“Ang ila na nga P1,000 kada pamilya indi man na kasarang kag tani ang ipanagtag nila isa ka sako nga bugas kada pamilya,” he stressed.

Business is also hard for vegetable vendor, “Dodong”.

From his usual P5,000 daily income before the pandemic, Dodong said he is struggling to earn P1,000 to sustain their needs.

“Kabudlay gid sang una nagalab-ot P5,000 or sobra pa ang amon income, subong ginhawa na lang namon makakita P1,000,” Dodong said.

Meanwhile, 54-year-old Nena (not her real name) from Pavia, who runs a souvenir shop at the Central Market, said lockdowns translate to lack of job and income.

She said the absence of tourists visiting the city and the shift to online classes made it difficult for their business to recover their losses.

“Mabudlay ang baligyaanay bangod wala na sang mga turista kag ang klase online na, wala mayo may gabakal,” Nena lamented.

Nena’s souvenir shop was among the non-essential establishments that were forced to close due to the imposition of hard lockdown from August 3 to August 8, 2021.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas signed Executive Order 070 on Tuesday for the implementation of the heightened restrictions all over the metro unless otherwise lifted or extended.

Under the EO, movement of all persons shall be limited only to accessing goods and services from permitted establishments, for work in such establishments at a capacity as provided hereafter, for inoculation of the Covid-19 vaccines and any other activities permitted.

A total liquor ban was also imposed, and curfew hours were adjusted to 8 p.m. until 4 a.m.

Treñas placed the city under hard lockdown to prepare for the possible surge of COVID-19 cases due to Delta variant.

“We need to impose lockdown to allow our hospitals to prepare for the surge of cases and patients. I do not know really if we are ready if the Covid-19 situation will be similar to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro but we are doing everything,” he said on Tuesday.

The city government has already prepared a Delta Outbreak Plan in anticipation of the “worst-case scenario” and the surge in cases. (ERS)