EOC won’t allow “Operation Tuli” in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will not recommend “Operation Tuli” in the city for this year.

Councilor Joel Garganera, EOC deputy chief implementer, said such operation is not essential during this time of pandemic.

“I’ve been receiving a lot of letters asking if they will be allowed to hold an ‘Operation Tuli’. Here’s our answer: Cebu City EOC is not allowing Operation Tuli,” said Garganera.

“Well, for one, it’s not essential, especially during this pandemic... Let’s skip lang sa niana. Plus the fact also nga let us focus ourselves lang sa sa vaccination,” he said.

Garganera said the uncontrollable happenings during the circumcision procedure might be a cause for COVID-19 transmission.

“We are just trying to avoid that. We’re looking at the safety as a whole ba. We can, perhaps, sacrifice that. Di man na siya immediate, di man na siya essential,” he said.

For instance, he said in most cases young boys tend to shout and cry during the procedure, which could emit droplets.

“You cannot really prevent nga mohilak, mosiyagit ang bata... lisod kaayo na nga pugngan ang imong baba og tulion ka. You cannot assure that nga ang bata dili mohilak,” said Garganera.

Another reason the councilor stated is that Operation Tuli is conducted in groups.

“First and foremost, when you transport young children to a particular area, that’s already a violation man gani sa atong age (restriction) sa IATF, and then groups pa gyud,” he added.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases eased the age restrictions in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), allowing children aged 10 to 14 years old to go out beginning Feb. 1, IATF and presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced last January. Cebu City is currently under MGCQ. — FPL (FREEMAN)