Mayor to issue ‘new normal’ guidelines

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas will issue guidelines as the city moves out of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) by May 16, 2020.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Monday that all areas in Western Visayas are classified as low-risk to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Hence, all provinces and highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) will no longer be placed under community quarantine.

According to the mayor, the city government has been preparing to exit from ECQ and transition to a more relaxed quarantine status.

“We are very happy kon low risk na kita. We will be ready as we have been preparing for this. Gapasalamat gid ako sa tanan nga mga kabarangayan, they have made sure na indi magdamo ang infection sa siyudad,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Initially, the mayor announced that the implementation of curfew will be enforced in the metro from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Treñas added that the ban on the sale of liquor and alcoholic drinks in the metro will also be lifted subject to certain limitations.

“Ang liquor ban i-lift pero may limitation halimbawa sa mabakal may certain number lang sila nga pwede mabakal. Indi ta gusto magulpihan ang mga tawo,” he said.

In terms of transportation, border control, and other specific guidelines, Treñas said he will meet with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and other concerned agencies to harmonize the policies.

As regards the lifting of the quarantine status, the mayor believes that the national pandemic task force based its decision on the ability of the local government unit (LGU) to respond to the disease.

“It’s not really the number of the cases, it’s really the ability of the LGU to respond with issues like the one that happened with Sto. Niño Sur. We learned a lot from it and maayo ang naubra naton,” he said.

As of May 12, Iloilo City recorded a total of 16 Covid-19 cases according to the Department of Health in Western Visayas.

Two patients are still admitted to hospitals, one is under home quarantine, seven are under facility quarantine, five have recovered, and one died.

Despite the relaxing of the quarantine measures, Treñas appealed to the city residents to be vigilant and practice safety measures.

“Maskin ano ang aton quarantine status, indi kita kahambal nga wala na virus, the virus will still be there. That is why importante gihapon ang social distancing and wearing of face masks,” he said.