Pandacan barangay starts hard lockdown today

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has placed Barangay 847, Zone 2 in Pandacan under 48-hour “hard lockdown” or enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting today.

Four cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 were recorded in the barangay. The patients are being treated in the hospital, according to the city health office. Six persons were suspected carriers of COVID-19.

Around 300 families or 3,000 individuals reside in Barangay 847.

Moreno said he approved the lockdown based on the request of the barangay chairman due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the area.

In a Facebook Live video on Saturday, Moreno signed an executive order, which mandates the implementation of ECQ in areas with increasing number of COVID-19 infections.

Only medical frontliners, police and military personnel, government employees and other essential workers are allowed to go out.

Moreno ordered police station commanders and barangay officials to deploy personnel in strategic areas during the lockdown, which ends tomorrow.

Manila Police District director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda said they are ready to enforce the lockdown.

Pateros barangay under MECQ

In Pateros, Barangay Sta. Ana will remain under modified ECQ after 24 residents were infected with the virus.

Of the number, 10 are still being treated in quarantine facilities. Two died and 12 have recovered from the disease.

The municipal health department said there were 46 cases of COVID-19 in Pateros as of Saturday.

Barangay Sta. Ana also posted the highest suspected cases of COVID-19 at 75.

Mayor Miguel Ponce III said the liquor ban would remain in effect in the barangay.

Residents in the village are required to use their quarantine passes when going out to buy essential needs, Ponce said.

The mayor lifted the liquor ban and travel restrictions in nine other barangays in Pateros as Metro Manila transitions to general community quarantine today.

Barangays Aguho, Magtanggol, San Roque and Sto. Rosario Kanluran remain free from COVID-19. Ghio Ong