Rama’s next EO ‘to promote love’ amid pandemic

CEBU, Philippines —  As the effectivity of Executive Order No. 142 enforcing the general community quarantine (GCQ) status in Cebu City ends today, Acting Mayor Michael Rama is set to issue another EO which he said will be based on consultations with multi-sectoral groups.

Rama said the upcoming EO 143 should be “very emphatic,” stressing it should promote love for each other.

“When we promote love for each other, we do not want to see death, we do not want rise of COVID. How do we go about it? That is what ought to be the embodiment in the Executive Order 143,” he said.

On the possibility to expand the Bakuna Bubble, the acting mayor said he will still listen to what certain officials and sectors have to say.

Under EO 142, food preparation establishments such as kiosks, commissaries, restaurants, and eateries can implement indoor dine services at 30 percent capacity and for COVID-19 vaccinated customers only.

Still, outdoor dine-in services (al fresco) are allowed at 50 percent capacity.

Personal care services limited to beauty salons, barbershops, beauty parlors, massage parlors, and nail spas are limited to 30 percent of the venue capacity and for COVID-19 vaccinated customers only.

Even with the continuous drop of the COVID-19 cases in the city, Rama said he does not want to expect on what will be the quarantine status of the city for the month of October.

“I don't want to be expecting but what I've been stressing all the time in my EO, let's all continue not to be complacent,” he said.

Rama earlier said Cebu City will be better off under GCQ for at least one more month while the city is strengthening its COVID-19 vaccination campaign further.

The national government placed the city under GCQ only until September 30, 2021.

Rama emphasized, however, that there is a need to discuss the city’s next steps with different sectors, including the police and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), so that proper assessment can be made.

He is also continuously reminding the public to be responsible in exercising their freedom and follow the minimum health protocols.

“When we talk about how we all started then proceeded, at least we would wish dili lang gyud magpagahi'g ulo ang tawo. Ayaw lang gyud because ang atong kapolisan, dili man na sila gud manakop kung dili ka magpadakop. Tuo lang gud. Comply lang gud. Mao ra man na,” said Rama. — JMD (FREEMAN)