BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Tuesday, June 30, that they are waiting for the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte on the quarantine classification after the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Bacolod ended on June 30.
"We will wait for the announcement of the President, but personally for me, we will remain under MGCQ because we still have new cases of Covid-19," said Familiaran, chairperson of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19. He said the city is not yet ready to lift the quarantine because of the new cases of Covid-19, adding that if the city will remain under MGCQ, Mayor Evelio Leonardia will also amend the Executive Order 43. Familiaran also denied the report that circulated on social media that Bacolod will be back to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) because of the surge of the number of Covid-19 cases. "It's not true because we don't have a local transmission here. Our new confirmed Covid-19 cases were all locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)," Familiaran said. The Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas reported Tuesday, June 30, five new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bacolod City. The new patients are 25-year-old female, a 29-year-old female, 35-year-old female, 41-year-old female, and 26-year old male, all are in quarantine facilities in the city. As of June 29, a total of 410 LSIs and OFWs in Bacolod City were also tested negative for coronavirus. Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order extending the duration of MGCQ over the entire province of Negros Occidental until July 15.
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BACOLOD City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said Tuesday, June 30, that they are waiting for the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte on the quarantine classification after the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Bacolod ended on June 30.
"We will wait for the announcement of the President, but personally for me, we will remain under MGCQ because we still have new cases of Covid-19," said Familiaran, chairperson of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19. He said the city is not yet ready to lift the quarantine because of the new cases of Covid-19, adding that if the city will remain under MGCQ, Mayor Evelio Leonardia will also amend the Executive Order 43. Familiaran also denied the report that circulated on social media that Bacolod will be back to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) because of the surge of the number of Covid-19 cases. "It's not true because we don't have a local transmission here. Our new confirmed Covid-19 cases were all locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)," Familiaran said. The Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas reported Tuesday, June 30, five new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bacolod City. The new patients are 25-year-old female, a 29-year-old female, 35-year-old female, 41-year-old female, and 26-year old male, all are in quarantine facilities in the city. As of June 29, a total of 410 LSIs and OFWs in Bacolod City were also tested negative for coronavirus. Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order extending the duration of MGCQ over the entire province of Negros Occidental until July 15. "IF WE follow the health protocols and city's guidelines, we can contain the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19)."
This was stressed by Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19, on Tuesday, June 16, after Mayor Evelio Leonardia already issued Executive Order (EO) 43, extending the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in the city from June 16 to June 30, 2020. "We should always wear a mask in public places and observe the social distancing. We should follow the health protocols to prevent spread of the virus," Familiaran said. He said as of Tuesday, June 16, Bacolod City still has a total of 22 confirmed cases of Covid-19. He added that some of the Covid-19 patients in the city were repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSI). Familiaran noted that based on the EO 43, the intrazonal travel between Iloilo City/local government units of Western Visayas and Bacolod City were already amended, but those who are below 21 years old, persons who are 60 years old and above, and persons with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks and pregnant women are not encourage to travel or be out of their residences, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices. Familiaran said the public should tell the truth about their travel history. "If you traveled from Cebu or Manila, you should inform us. You should be responsible because there were some Bacolodnons from Cebu who tried to return here using a banca boat," he said. He added that on June 15, authorities from Cadiz City informed them that there were some Bacolodnons who traveled from Cebu using a banca boat, but were intercepted in their area. Familiaran noted that Cebu City is now a high-risk area because of their confirmed Covid-19 cases and those who traveled from this area should undergo mandatory quarantine. Familiaran also urged the essential businesses in the city to follow the guidelines, especially their drivers or helpers who traveled from Cebu. "Those who traveled from Cebu should undergo the mandatory quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus," Familiaran said. BACOLOD. Bacolod City officials offer flowers before the Monument of the Unknown Soldier at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Bacolod Public Plaza, as part of the Bacolod celebration of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day Friday, June 12, 2020. (Bacolod City PIO) BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in his speech during the 122nd Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Bacolod Public Plaza Friday, June 12, that the people are now, once again, engaged in a battle for freedom -- this time freedom from the havoc wrought by the coronavirus (Covid-19).
"As we celebrate right now the 122nd anniversary of our independence, we are again making history, since for the first time in our generation, we are engaged in a difficult battle for freedom, this time, freedom from the havoc wrought by an invisible and the minutest of enemies - the coronavirus," Leonardia said. The mayor added that the only shield or protection from this deadly virus is understanding, patience, cooperation and a united stand with the government that has so far been implementing the best health and economic measures possible for our people. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said in his welcome message that the commemoration of Independence Day must serve as a reminder "that what we are, and what we have today, is because of the thoughts, deeds, and the noble lives of our forefathers." "Let us be guided by history, and may we live out the lessons we have learned today," he added. Salute Familiaran, who is the local Inter-Agency Task Force chairperson, and city councilors who were designated as heads of the different task forces against Covid-19 were given credit by the mayor for ably handling the local IATF and for doing a great job for the city in controlling the spread of the virus. In his speech, Leonardia also thanked the various City Hall departments, the private sector, doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, hospital staff and their utility people who are in the front line in taking care of the patients. "Let me take this opportunity to honor and salute them for the unequivocal service they render in the line of duty where some even lost their lives in the process," he said. "Allow me to thank all of you, my fellow Bacoleños, for having been very cooperative in all the health protocols our local government has set for you. Your self-discipline is amazing. My heart beams with pride as I look back to the recent past three months when we have been under all those community quarantines and the lockdown Sundays that, with your trust in our leadership, made the city look like a ghost town where streets were empty and everything seemed to be at a standstill, all for the common good," Leonardia added. While the virus has baffled experts who are looking for a cure, Filipinos can help them by strengthening faith and calling on the Almighty, the mayor added. "The power of prayer cannot be underestimated," the mayor said. "As prayer warriors, we can storm the gates of Heaven for God's compassion and mercy on His people." Health is freedom Representative Greg Gasataya, who was also the guest of honor and speaker at the Independence Day celebration, said, "In this most trying time, health is not only wealth. Health is also freedom." "We are now in this tough situation where we have to choose who stays in and who stays out. The ones without health risks may go out of their residence while the vulnerable ones shall stay home. We do this to avoid being in a much worse situation where we have to choose who lives and who dies," he added. Gasataya emphasized the importance of mental and emotional health by saying that its negativity could be as deadly as the coronavirus. "Let us strive harder to connect more with people we love in this time of disconnection. Do not let distance and separation take away our freedom to care, to communicate, to love and to uplift one another. Spare no effort to save lives by simply showing that you care. Health is freedom and mental health is everything," Gasataya added. Simple rites The ceremony started with a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 a.m., followed by a program, and was capped with a wreath-laying at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in respect to all heroes who fought and died in the revolution to give Filipino the independence they enjoy today. Leonardia had instructed the Committee on Independence Day 2020, chaired by Councilor Simplicia Distrito, to observe a "simple yet meaningful" celebration of the Independence Day, in the light of the Covid-19 global pandemic. Distrito said, "This is the simplest celebration the City ever had for the past years but what is important is that we will be able to give time to value our national heroes." This year's theme is, "Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas (Kalayaan 2020: Towards A Free, United, and Safe Nation)." Also joining the celebration were Councilors Renecito Novero, Simplicia Distrito, Archie Baribar, Israel Salanga, Bartolome Orola, and Ana Marie Palermo; City Administrator Em Ang; City Legal Officer Joselito Bayatan, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Edward Joseph Cuansing; ; Supervising and Administrative Officer Federico Guanzon, and executive assistants. Also present were war veterans and officials of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines; Gladys Amylaine Sales, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd)- Bacolod; Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade; Col. Henry Biñas, director of the Bacolod City Police Office; Chief Inspector Rodel Legaspi, newly appointed city fire marshal of the Bureau of Fire Protection; Jerson Juarez, district president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines; and other representatives of the DepEd, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines. (PR) |
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