A TOTAL of 154 persons were arrested by Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) from August 3 to 5, 2020, for violating the health protocols set to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said the violators were arrested by personnel of Police Stations 1 to 10, along with the operatives of Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) and Bacolod City Mobile Force Company (BCMFC), for not wearing face masks and not observing physical distancing. He said on August 5, a total of 49 persons were arrested in various barangays; 46 violators were arrested on August 4, and another 59 violators on August 3. He added the violators will be charged for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code for disobedience to persons on authority, in relation to Executive Order No. 35. The police will file the case in a regular filing. BCPO, along with Task Force Disiplina chaired by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, intensified its operation in various barangays to arrest those who are not observing physical distancing and not wearing face masks in public places.
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There were 80 new COVID-19 positive cases in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City during the weekend, the Department of Health reported.
Negros Occidental has 51 new cases, of which 6 are local transmissions, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 409. Bacolod City has 29 new COVID-19 cases, of which 25 are local transmissions, bringing the total to 150. Philippine Medical Association – Canlaon Medical Society president, Dr. Ma. Ivy Malata, and Philippine Medical Association – Negros Occidental Medical Society president, Dr. Roberto Puerta, in a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday called for the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine over Bacolod City for two weeks. “We are not equipped for a full-blast Covid war,” they said. They appealed to the National Inter-Agency Task Force for an ECQ for at least two weeks to help contain the virus, enable the healthcare system to recuperate, and to give time to institute and implement appropriate interventions, especially with the way Locally Stranded Individuals and overseas Filipino workers are being handled, they said. “We only have a few hospitals, with limited capacity and equipment. We are just a few steps from being the next epicenter, and we fervently hope that you can help us prevent that from happening,” the doctors added. “We believe this is the best way by which we can halt or at least slow down the spread of local transmission, at the same time fix the loopholes that we have in our system, that have led to the situation we are experiencing now,” they said. They pointed out that there has been a rapid spike in the COVID-19 positive cases, with local transmission reaching its highest in the past few days. “We are now the highest in Western Visayas, and there are hundreds of pending results coming in,” they said. They also pointed out that numerous healthcare workers and frontliners have been admitted or home-quarantined. Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia held a virtual meeting with leaders of the doctors’ groups Saturday that he described as very good. “We respect the views and opinions of these doctors but I was surprised to learn of their letter to the president” only last night, he said, as it was not mentioned to him in their meeting Saturday. He said the recommendations mentioned by the doctors in their letter to the president were the matters that they took up Saturday. They suggested an ECQ that was not resolved yet on Saturday, he said. They had already set a meeting with representatives of the medical community, business leaders and city officials this afternoon to be joined by Health Regional Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar to further tackle the COVID-19 situation in Bacolod, he said. “We will make a clear and honest assessment of the situation and will submit it to the (national) IATF,” Leonardia said, adding that today’s meeting will be critical. It is the national IATF that has the authority to decide what quarantine status Bacolod City will be placed under, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said. The City Health Office reported that, of the 27 new confirmed cases Saturday, 19 are close contacts of COVID Patient No. 89, three are LSIs, three are health care workers, and two are local cases. There were no details yet about the two new local transmissions yesterday. Patient No. 89 was reported to be a liaison officer of the General Services Office. Familiaran said she infected the employees of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs.* BY CARLA P. GOMEZ We must stand united as a community and a nation despite our frustrations on how our national government and local governments are responding to the COVID-19 crisis especially now that we have a positive case in our city.
We laud the efforts of our officials and government agencies if merited, but it should not also stop us from calling them out if we feel they can do more in preserving our safety and yes, our sanity. What we feared the most has come true and perhaps, people will now take this virus seriously and heed the advice to stay indoors if at all possible. With the identification of the case, those who attended to the patient are immediately PUIs as well as family members and with the info gathered that the patient arrived some three weeks ago, contact tracing of those he had been in contact with might be next to impossible especially as the said patient is allegedly asymptomatic and still is. But while the frustration appears to be mounting against our public officials, especially in the absence of test kits, we also have to acknowledge the many who are silently working without needing public acknowledgment. Even those who are publicly documenting their assistance, perhaps for political advancement, for as long as they are helping in the war against COVID-19, let praises be heaped upon them. Just like Sen. Manny Pacquiao who has unabashedly posted on social media his distribution of surgical masks and announced the supposed arrival of 50,000 test kits with the help of Alibaba founder, Jack Ma. Many find it distasteful especially with rumors that the boxing champ is eyeing the presidency come 2022. Well, I can’t stop my eyes rolling but I’m still grateful if those test kits do arrive. That’s still way better than what the national government is doing, or the lack of it, in response to this crisis. Since we are on a self-imposed quarantine, many of us turn to social media as the most active venue at the present to communicate information, concerns and the dreaded fake news and propaganda. And by far, topping the list of shared articles are stories of what the young and dynamic mayors in Metro Manila who have the foresight of preparing for the worst case scenario in their towns and cities. Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora and Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian have shown us that things are possible if the chief executives have a grasp of what can happen in the event that more and more patients turn up positive. Here in Bacolod, Mayor Bing Leonardia is being bashed online because he has not been that visible compared to the public presence of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Rep. Greg Gasataya who used social media as well to inform the public of what they have been doing. Of course, the bashing may not be meritorious because I’ve seen Mayor Bing conduct press conferences to update the people and yes, El Cid is more visible because he heads the city’s Inter-Agency Task Force. But, I totally understand where people are coming from because in this time of crisis, we always look up to the highest elected official to provide the leadership even if only to allay fears and make the residents feel secure. Our national leadership has miserably failed in that and so we look upon our local officials to give us an assurance that they are truly on top of the situation. Rep. Greg’s announcement that test kits are forthcoming is being shared widely and has somehow given us hope. Gov. Bong Lacson also said that test kits will arrive Saturday and more admirable are efforts from the private sector who are trying to negotiate the bringing in of test kits too and even the equipment to allow us to do the testing here immediately. Hopefully, more will follow. It may not be right to compare one form of leadership to another, but as I’ve mentioned then, this crisis will be a test of leadership for all and if and when we surpass this, actions or the lack of it will be remembered by the public in the next election (unless we again will have short memories that can be bought by the blue-colored bill.) I was listening to the interview of Mayor Gatchalian yesterday and how his city has been preparing for any eventuality from converting facilities into isolation buildings for positive patients to scheduled distribution of food. It made me appreciate the foresight of Gov. Bong Lacson to convert St. Anne’s Hospital into an isolation hospital because if many will turn out positive, the provincial hospital in Silay may not be able to accommodate these patients while tending to other cases as well. That thought made me cringe as to what will Bacolod do when that time comes especially with one positive case now? We only have the regional hospital as a government health facility in the city and even without the crisis, that hospital is already facing a deluge of cases they have to attend to because our city does not have its own hospital. Are there negotiations with private hospitals here or hotels to convert theirs into an isolation building as others have been doing in Manila? Is this issue even being discussed among city health officials and our city officials? I have been harping about our lack of a city hospital but unfortunately, officials have been focused on building a coliseum and museums. With this crisis, will there be a change of heart and plans? But again while the action or lack of it from our officials bring frustration, it is but right to also laud the efforts of those who are really doing something, small or big, to help this fight. Gov. Bong and Vice-Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, along with provincial administrator Ray Diaz and former Rep. Albee Benitez merits a shout out for facilitating the return of Negrenses who were stuck in Clark, Pampanga for days even if one of the passengers was idiotic enough to run away. I heard that guy will face charges post the quarantine period and if so, he will have an extended vacation, not in Mambukal, but in jail. I was in close contact with Rotarian Amelyn Bravo who became the conduit of those passengers to the province and to other Rotarians in Pampanga who mobilized to deliver water, Jollibee hamburgers, sanitizers, face masks and allow me to personally thank Past District Governor Jess Nicdao of RC Western Pampanga, Past President Susan Czudai of RC Angeles Kuliat, Past President Lito Mercado and President Joy Cangco of RC Balibago along with Chris Cangco and Jennifer Eliazar. Our people will always be thankful for your help. Allow me to make mention also of PMSg Renlo Jaen and Pat. Willyfredo Victoriano of Bac-up 4 for immediately responding to a problem we had in our community recently. When we have alert law enforcers, it makes us feel a bit safe that we can rely on them when needed. Lastly, a huge shout out to the doctors and interns of CLMMRH who organized themselves to form the Home Quarantine Food Packs which are now being followed by groups in Cebu and Makati. Like them, we can do something if we stay united, if we spread care.* The city inter-agency task force against the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) intercepted a bus with an Australian national and a Filipino companion on board at the border of Bacolod and Talisay cities yesterday. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chair of the city’s inter-agency task force against the novel coronavirus disease (COVI-19) yesterday said the foreign national and his companion came from Cadiz City. They left Manila last March 14 taking a bus to Batangas and arrived in Kalibo during the weekend. Familiaran said the two plan to proceed to Sipalay but were asked to return to their place of origin. He said the total persons under investigation (PUIs) in Bacolod City remains at 11 while the total persons under monitoring (PUMs) has reached 410. BACOLOD REMAINS COVID-FREE On Tuesday, the mayor issued Executive Order No. 22 or “An order for the Implementing Rules and Regulations of E.O. 21, series of 2020,” which include the establishments of check-up points in strategic areas in the city under the sound determination of the police, assisted by the Philippine Army and the Bacolod City Health Office, to check vehicular/pedestrian traffic for effective control of the quarantine measures. Starting Friday persons from out-of-town should present company IDs or pertinent documents upon entering Bacolod City. The E.O. also ordered the observance of stringent social distancing. This was implemented during the 38th regular session of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City yesterday as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Familiaran said that starting yesterday all technical assistants and staff of the city councilors will be prevented from entering the session hall. They can only be contacted by the councilors through text messaging. The sitting arrangements of the councilors were also adjusted in compliance to the order of the mayor to observe social distancing. Familiaran said the SP session can be viewed through facebook live in the page of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City.* BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (right) visited check-up points yesterday, like this one along the border of Barangay Bata, Bacolod City and Talisay City to see the actual situation.*
The Bacolod City government is implementing measures to ease traffic with the implementation of border check-up points to contain the spread of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said yesterday that starting today, they are proposing that all private vehicles should pass through the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road (BSAAR) while public utility vehicles should pass through the main highway or original road to help decongest and manage the situation more effectively in the northern part of Bacolod City. P/Col. Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office, said that additional thermal scanners have been provided at border check-up points of the city to ease congestion and inconvenience to the riding public. The first day of the implementation of border check-ups under Executive Order 21, declaring a General Community Quarantine in Bacolod, caused traffic and long queues Monday. Traffic congestions were experienced by the commuters along the boundaries at barangays Sum-ag, Mansilingan, Alangilan and Bata that lasted for about four hours, causing inconvenience to most commuters and some residents of Bacolod, who are working outside the city. Biñas said that they lacked equipment on the first day of implementation as there was only one thermal scanner per check-up point. However, more thermal scanners are now placed at borders of the city where checkpoints are being done. “We now have three to five thermal scanners per check-up points now,” Biñas said. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of the city inter-agency task force against Coronavirus, asked for the understanding and cooperation of the public in what he described as “abnormal times” in order to contain the spread of the disease. Familiaran said the city government has the budget to purchase additional thermal scanners, surgical facial masks and alcohol but these are not available in the market. He said police and health providers are risking their lives by conducting border check-ups without protective gear and yet they are working 24/7. The mayor called for an emergency meeting yesterday to address all these problems, Familiaran added. Councilor Cindy Rojas, vice chairperson of the city’s inter-agency task force against Coronavirus, said they will request Biñas to provide a lane for healthcare providers like ambulances especially in emergency cases at all check-up points. They will also request the Bacolod Traffic Authority to assist the police in managing traffic and to provide signages for special lanes. Trucking and buses also contributed to the long queue of vehicles at the borders of Bacolod, he added.* BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO & SHIELA G. GELERA The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday declared a state of health emergency in Bacolod in the light of the 2019 c oronavirus disease threat.
Bacolod Councilor Renecito Novero said the motion was unanimously approved yesterday by the SP, and is already effective. On that basis, and with the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, the mayor can also issue an executive order declaring a state of local health emergency in Bacolod City. He said the state of health emergency will justify the city government in utilizing its calamity fund for purposes of adopting preventive measures against Covid-19, which include, among others, providing a containment or quarantine area where they can house persons under monitoring (PUMs). Novero said PUMs are supposed to be under observation within the incubation period of 14 days. These are people who have travel history like overseas Filipino workers (OFW). They should be placed in a quarantine area, and this should be mandatory. They should also be observed by health personnel because, in case they have infection, they could contaminate members of their family, which they do not want to happen. So they are trying to be preventive, he said. Mayor Evelio Leonardia is looking for a place where they can house PUMs to contain the possible spread of the virus, Novero said. They can use the calamity fund to provide PUMs a convenient quarantine area with water and food, or pay for the rental of houses because putting up a new structure might take too long. So it should be in an existing house or building, he said. Novero said that if no one can lend them a house, they will rent one. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said there is a PUI in Bacolod, who is now confined in one of the hospitals in the city after developing flu-like symptoms. Familiaran said the patient is a 27-year-old female, who arrived from Singapore last March 6. She is one of the 23 PUMs earlier reported by the City Health Office. Out of the 23 PUMs, four have completed their 14-day quarantine. However, there are an additional four PUMs being monitored by the CHO, bringing to 19 the total PUMs in Bacolod City, he said.* BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO Due to the ongoing major programs and activities of all the barangays in Bacolod, the Liga ng mga Barangay has requested Mayor Evelio Leonardia to move the start of implementation of the “no segregation, no collection” policy to April 1. Leonardia, in a press release, said that after consultation with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who is the chair of the Solid Waste Action Team (SWAT), he is set to approve the Liga resolution as soon as it is submitted to his office today, provided that this would be the last postponement. “While the Vice Mayor and I understand their situation and will grant their request, it must be made clear that this should be the last postponement. But, we salute the 11 barangays that volunteered to start as pilot areas beginning March 1,” Leonardia added. Liga ng mga Barangay president Councilor Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen said that although they have requested to move the date of implementation, 11 barangays have already agreed to start with their “no segregation, no collection” policy on March 1. These pilot barangays are: 17, 18, 22, 31, 37, Alangilan, Bata, Alijis, Estefania, Handumanan, and Taculing. The city government had intended to start implementing the policy on March 1, but the Liga had asked the mayor to give them ample time to implement it, since they are presently tied up with five other major tasks as ordered by the national government. These are the monitoring and preparations against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and African Swine Fever (ASF), drug-clearing operations, anti-illegal gambling operations, and road-clearing operations. The Liga said waste segregation must be given full attention to help minimize the volume of garbage, but at present they are also occupied with several big tasks. The Liga ng mga Barangay met with its members, as well as with the mayor, vice mayor, and the Solid Waste Management Board Saturday, to discuss the “no segregation, no collection” policy and came up with a resolution requesting the mayor to defer the date of its implementation. The “no segregation, no collection” policy is in compliance with R.A. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.* A ninth person under investigation (PUI) for novel Coronavirus (nCoV) was admitted at a Bacolod hospital yesterday, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said.
He also said that of the eight other PUIs in Bacolod, three who tested negative for the deadly virus had been discharged, three others found negative are to be discharged, and two are awaiting results. Of the six patients currently admitted, four are from Bacolod. The patients have travel histories to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Zhuhai (China). All patients are in stable condition. The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital and six private hospitals are open to accommodate patients for isolation and management, the vice mayor said. In Negros Oriental all eight PUIs admitted have tested negative as of yesterday, Bimbo Miraflor, Capitol spokesperson, said. The Provincial Health Office is waiting for the confirmatory test of the eight PUIs and if all are still negative, they will be discharged from the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, he added. All eight are doing well and no longer have respiratory symptoms, Dr. Liland Estacion, assistant provincial health officer, said. No new PUIs have been admitted in Negros Oriental, she also said. There were only three out of 78 persons under monitoring for nCoV remaining in Negros Oriental as of yesterday, she said. The monitoring of the Polish and two Chinese nationals under self quarantine will end tomorrow. In Manila, President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday vowed to repatriate overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should the nCoV outbreak worsen. “If people are dying and Filipinos are being pushed away. Whether you like it or not, I will bring them home. I will bring them home because they have no other country to seek shelter,” Duterte said in a speech during an assembly with governors and mayors in Pasay City. Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and the mayors of the province were at the gathering. The President also assured the public that government is prepared to handle all public emergencies in case a worst-case scenario happens. Duterte said he is willing to tap the military if the 2019-nCoV becomes a pandemic.*CPG/PNA Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia officially turned over the P2.8- million covered court of Purok Cana-an to Barangay Mandalagan officials at rites Saturday.
Leonardia was assisted by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran at the ribbon-cutting and turnover ceremony of the new covered court that was funded by the city government, a press release from the city said. They were joined by project engineer Amy Tentia, Regina Parreño, wife of Barangay Mandalagan Captain Arturo Parreño, barangay officials, and other purok officials led by their president Jenny Rivera. Leonardia described the structure as “beautiful,” adding that he is happy that what he had promised already came to reality. “Vice Mayor El Cid and I are happy that you are all happy with this project,” he added. Most importantly, we are bragging about the biggest development that will happen here in Brgy. Mandalagan, he said. Familiaran encouraged the residents to take good care of the new covered court. Tentia said the construction of the covered court started in July 2019 and was completed in December, the press release added.* |
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