Iloilo City’s post-GCQ fate still unsure

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas said on May 26, 2020 that he has yet to decide on the city’s status after the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) expires on May 31.

In a press conference, Treñas said that he does not know where the city is headed, but he remains prepared for whatever will happen.

“We don’t know where we are headed, whether we go to GCQ, the new normal, or the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine). Just the same, we are prepared for whatever will happen to us. We have placed compliance officers, about 200 of them,” he said.

The mayor said that the compliance officers mainly reported violations of the city’s rules on physical distancing and use of face masks.

The team of compliance officers were created via Executive Order No. 078 issued on May 21 to enforce GCQ rules under EO No. 075, as amended.

“[They mostly reported] two things, social distancing and the use of face masks. There were complaints at the malls, from married couples that they were being asked to socially distance,” Treñas said.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Ilonggo Artists for COVID-19 for selling their art works to help the city’s fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“I am thankful to the Art for a Cause, because through the private sector, people buy paintings, and the funds are being used to make face masks. We have given livelihood to tailors, and the face masks made are being distributed to barangays,” he said.

As of May 25, the online exhibits by Ilonggo artists have raised up to P2.3 million to meet the city’s target of 200,000 face masks made by the so-called Uswag Sewers for the city’s residents.

The mayor also said that he is finalizing the reports on the city’s expenditures in its fight against COVID-19, including private sector donations coursed through the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.

Iloilo City was placed by the mayor under GCQ on May 16 via EO No. 075, as amended, after having been under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March 20 to May 15.

The ECQ and the GCQ were measures implemented as a response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data from the Department of Health indicated that as of May 26, Iloilo City has 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with four active cases, 13 recoveries and one death.