EXIT PLAN UPV: experts propose ways to wrap up quarantine in Iloilo City

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

As the local government gears up for the reopening of Iloilo City by May 1, 2020, a group of professors and experts from University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) proposed a quarantine exit plan to guide the local government on the gradual lifting of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Professors Maria Elisa Baliao Rhodella Ibabao, Hanny John Mediodia, Cristabel Parcon, Juhn Cris Espia, and Vicente Balinas suggested actions based on the experiences of countries that have started their gradual exit from a lockdown or have adopted general community quarantine measures that can be adapted by the city government.

The proposed actions are also grounded on online reports and informal consultations with sector and industry specific individuals that will allow businesses to operate and mitigate the economic impact while maintaining safety measures against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Once the lockdown policy is lifted after April 30, Iloilo City should consider prepping for a phased reopening and scaling back of LGU’s support for the economy. The phased reopening is a strategy that will protect the people from the virus allowing life to progressively return to normal, albeit a ‘new normal’,” according to the proposed exit plan.

Mayor Jerry Treñas confirmed on Monday that he received the exit plan prepared by academe experts.

According to the mayor, he will solicit advice and reactions from the different sectors in the metro to guide them with the possible lifting of the expanded enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Iloilo City.

“We really have to move forward. Amat-amaton naton ilift ang ECQ. Kon sige sige aton binuligay, natan-aw ko amat-amat naton malift ining ECQ,” he said in a press conference on Monday.

Treñas said that public will have to cooperate and adjust to the new normal scheme with emphasis on the practice of social distancing; using of face mask; and frequent hand washing.

On Monday, Treñas issued Executive Order No. 65-2020 which created an ad-hoc committee that will formulate and prescribe policies for the gradual lifting of the ECQ.

The committee is chaired by Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, Iloilo City’s focal person for COVID-19. The members are key city hall department heads and councilors, the PNP, and business sector leaders.

The committee is tasked to create specific protocols adopting approved measures of the health authorities on the following:

-COVID-19 transmission is under control;

-ability to detect, test, isolate, and treat every case and trace every contact;

-identify and minimize risk hotspots in vulnerable areas;

-presence of preventive measures in schools, workplaces, and other essential places;

-managing imported new cases (OFWs either land-based or seafarers, returning residents);

-communities are fully educated, engaged, and empowered to live under existing conditions, until ECQ is lifted totally.

Iloilo was placed under enhanced community quarantine from March 20 to April 14, 2020.

The ECQ was extended to April 30 following the case of local transmission in the metro.

On April 13, the level of quarantine has been raised into an expanded ECQ, limiting the movement of people during weekends.