‘STAY AT HOME’: Ilonggos need to take crisis seriously, mayor says

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis is no laughing matter and Ilonggos should start taking it seriously by staying at home and following quarantine protocols, Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed Friday.

The mayor made the appeal following the increasing number of curfew violators in the city amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“Kagab-i may nadakpan nga mga kabataan and senior citizens, ang iban naga-basketball, iban naga-inom. I hope na indi na na maliwat. Indi ini basta basta lang, this is a very serious matter,” Treñas said in a press conference on Friday.

Iloilo City implemented curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as part of the ECQ.

Police have arrested 148 curfew violators in the city as of March 26.

According to Treñas, the city government is eyeing disciplinary measures on curfew violators.

For one, the mayor said the curfew violators will help in transporting sacks of rice and canned goods for three days.

“Ang suggestion ang tanan nga madakpan sa curfew pabuligon hakwat sang sako sang bugas sa Jaro gym, and we are already considering that may tatlo kamo ka adlaw nga hakwat sang sako sang bugas and karton nga canned goods,” he said.

 

WARNING TO PUIS, PUMS

Treñas also warned that the city will be strict in implementing quarantine protocols on persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs).

PUIs are persons with signs and symptoms and have travel history to infected areas or may have been exposed to positive cases. PUMs are asymptomatic but have travel history to infected areas or may have been exposed to positive cases.

Treñas instructed barangay officials to transfer PUMs and PUIs who cannot afford to undergo self-quarantine in their respective homes to the designated isolation centers in the city.

“Ginpangabay ko ang tanan nga mga barangay officials nga tanan nga PUM and PUI nga mabudlayan  magquarantine sa balay, idal-on na lang sa isolation centers, ginapsiguro ta nga may pagkaon gid na sila the whole time,” the mayor said.

The city government has identified the schools, Iloilo Central Elementary School (ICES) and Mabini Elementary School to serve as isolation centers for PUIs with mild symptoms and PUMs.

Amid reports of a high-ranking official who allegedly breached the quarantine protocol, Treñas said the city is ready to file charges against PUIs and PUMs who refuse to undergo self-quarantine.

“Sa mga barangay officials nga mga PUI and PUM nga nagalagaw da. We will be very strict on this. Sa siyudad, waay kita ginapili, senador ka man ukon konsehal, mayor ukon kapitan, basta ara ka sa self-quarantine, indi ka ya kagwa. Kon magwa ka, file-an ka namon kaso,” he warned.

The mayor appealed to Ilonggos to stay at home and take care of oneself amid the increasing number of PUIs and PUMs in the metro.

“We have to take care of ourselves. Indi lang ta anay magdugang sa mga nagmalasakit sa hospital. Importante nga kon ara ka sa balay niyo, you have to do everything, practice kamo social distancing and frequent handwashing,” he noted.