By Joseph B.A. Marzan
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Wednesday expressed optimism that the city will scale down to the “looser” Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) by Dec. 1, 2020 following the downtrend in new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
According to the latest reports from the city government’s Emergency Operations Center, the city logged 11 new cases as of 12 pm on Nov 25.
The new cases include seven on Nov 24 and four on Nov 25.
Despite these developments, Treñas told Daily Guardian that restrictions will remain in place to ensure better conditions for the city.
These include the ban on consumption, and control of time windows on the sale of alcoholic drinks, and regulations on cemetery visits and funerals.
Iloilo City has been under the “slightly stricter” GCQ since Oct 1.
“I think the way it looks, our cases are going down, and by December we may go into MGCQ. But maybe we will keep our current protocols. As long as the protocols are followed, I have no fear, even if we go to MGCQ,” Treñas said in a phone interview.
The mayor added that the downtrend in new COVID-19 cases was “not a sign to be complacent” and that new protocols for the Christmas season will be released at the end of the week.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. We always have to make sure that the protocols are being followed. Either [on Thursday] or Friday, we will be releasing protocols for December, for family gatherings and [other celebrations], and I’m only hopeful that the people will follow these new protocols,” the mayor added.
He also said that he met with barangay captains and district health officers that he will “find ways” to provide for their health centers and their personnel.
“I’ve told them that we’ll find ways to provide well for their health centers and personnel, but we also need their support in terms of looking into the cases in every barangay in their jurisdiction. As of now, there is one district officer in Lapuz, which has been giving reports showing that they have been going through each barangay, and that is good so we can be informed,” he said.
VACCINE PRIORITY
Treñas also addressed the exclusion of Iloilo City as a priority area for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Philstar.com reported on Nov. 10, 2020 that vaccine czar, National Task Force To End COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez, listed the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Cebu City, and Davao City as priority areas.
The mayor said he will be sending a letter to the national government to appeal for the city’s inclusion.
Earlier this month, Treñas said the city will earmark P100 million for COVID-19 vaccines.
“We have finalized the letter, but I haven’t signed it yet. Although we are preparing funds for the vaccines next year, to be on the safe side and we can have available vaccines, we are asking to be included there,” the mayor said.
