For the first time since it was enforced in May to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no more areas in Quezon City are under special concern lockdown (SCL), Mayor Joy Belmonte said Monday.
She announced the lifting of the last remaining SCL in Alleys 1 and 2 in Block 17, Barangay Bungad on Nov. 6.
The lockdown imposed in some portions of Iba Street in Barangay Paang Bundok and three streets in Zytec Riosa compound in Barangay Pasong Tamo was also lifted.
Since May, 68 areas with around 11,134 families were placed under SCL.
The City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU) conducted 9,020 swab tests in those areas, 1,230 of which came back positive.
“This is another positive development in our fight against the virus. This is another indication that we’re headed in the right direction, in addition to the drop in number of our active cases,” the mayor said.
“Despite this, I am reminding all of you that this should not be a reason to set aside the health protocols, such as the wearing of a face mask and face shield, handwashing and social distancing,” Belmonte said.
Dr. Rolly Cruz, CESU head, said the lockdowns are now unnecessary at this point since they have not monitored any more clustered cases so far.
The city started enforcing SCL in May to contain the spread of COVID-19, initially placing 20 areas in five barangays under lockdown.
“Those tested positive were immediately brought to HOPE facilities so as to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the communities,” Cruz said.
Meanwhile, the city government is giving tax exemptions for idle lands if used for urban agriculture.
Belmonte approved City Ordinance No. SP-2972 to enhance the city’s government’s campaign to strengthen food security and urban agriculture.
A lot owner would be exempted from paying the idle land tax if he or she devotes the entire idle land for urban agriculture for a minimum period of three years.
“This ordinance provides a much-needed push to our urban agriculture advocacy to help boost food security for our citizens, especially during the pandemic,” she said.
“We thank the Quezon City council, led by presiding officer and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, Majority Floor Leader Franz Pumaren, and the other authors of this measure, for sharing and supporting our vision,” Belmonte added.
The city government earlier entered into a partnership with the Department of Agriculture to promote urban gardening as a means to ensure stability of food supply and help alleviate poverty within the communities.
The ordinance has amended Section 11 of the Quezon City Revenue Code of 1993 to extend the idle land tax exemption for land owners who would utilize their uncultivated and unimproved property for urban gardening.