Cities in Metro Manila are recalibrating their strategies in enforcing health protocols in the wake of increasing active cases of the coronavirus disease in the National Capital Region.
In the City of Makati, Mayor Abigail Binay warned service industry operators and their clients that the city government will bring down the full force of the law on violators of city ordinances and safety protocols against COVID-19.
In Paranaque City, the local government came up with a new regulation amending the curfew hours, its policy allowing persons outside residences, and measures for social gatherings.
Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who chairs the Metro Manila Council, said the city government started implementing new curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., while persons allowed to go outside residences are those aged 15 to 65 years old.
In Quezon City, which posted a nearly 200-percent increase in new COVID-19, cases in one month, Mayor Joy Belmonte started consultations with barangays, commercial establishments, and the Church to get suggestions on additional restrictions that should be implemented.
In Manila, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced that the first day of the lockdown in three barangays that registered a high number of COVID-19 cases had been successful and orderly.
This as Domagoso warned private quarantine facilities to make sure they function like those being run by the government or they will be dealt with accordingly.
In Taguig City, Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano convened the Safe City Task Force and other key officials on Monday and discussed additional measures to further prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, Mayor Imelda Rubiano said the local government boosted local containment measures in Pasay City, which she claimed were deemed to be effective.
In Paranaque, pregnant women, persons aged under 15 and over 65 years old, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are not allowed to go outside.
“Movie screenings, concerts, sports events, social events, computer shops, internet cafes, and video and interactive video game arcades are also not allowed to operate,” said Olivarez.
Binay, meanwhile, said: “We are alarmed by the blatant disregard for the law and cavalier attitude shown by these establishments and their clients. Let me remind everyone that we are still in a pandemic. With the presence of new variants, we need to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols at all times.”
Local enforcers earlier shut down two business establishments in Makati for violating health and safety protocols.
Among the measures discussed in Taguig include the stricter implementation of a city ordinance covering health and safety protocols and the continued capacitation and consultation of all business establishments for the safety and well-being of workers and patrons.
Cayetano encouraged all residents to avail of the city’s free swab test, while dissuading household gatherings. He said Taguig would also roll out improved programs protecting senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and individuals with comorbidities.
“There’s no other way but to move and transit to the new normal. We do not want to further close the economy; we don’t want to go back to any more lockdowns. The city has been doing a great job in opening the economy while fighting against the virus,” said Cayetano.
“In the transition to the new normal, the city firmly believes that lowering our cases and preventing another surge goes hand in hand with the gradual opening up of society,” he added.
The Quezon City health department reported the city recorded a 190-percent increase in new COVID-19 cases per day, or 218 cases between March 2 and 8 from 75 cases recorded from the same week last month.
“I call this a surge. I believe this demands stricter restrictions from the higher government. The local government hasn’t received any guidelines, but if we are given clearance to proceed, we in QC would like to implement added restrictions,” Belmonte said.
Based on the city health department data, the transmission of the virus was most prevalent in QC households at 28 percent, followed by the community or neighborhood at 16 percent, and the workplace at 11 percent.
In Manila, National Capital Region Office chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao pledged the deployment of at least 500 policemen from Camp Bagong Diwa to augment the Manila Police District personnel.
Danao said that number may even rise depending on the need of Manila and in support of the efforts of Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan to contain the coronavirus in the nation’s capital.
Mayor Cayetano said they are working closely with the national government and various vaccine suppliers to provide a good portfolio of vaccines to Taguig residents.
As part of their containment protocol, the city government deployed more policemen to enforce city ordinances on health and safety guidelines, and sent additional nurses to man isolation facilities.