CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City started implementing yesterday an Enhanced Community Quarantine with Mayor Ahong Chan advising all city residents to stay at home to stop the spread of the COVID-19.
Chan, in a statement, said the city will be distributing one sack of rice per household.
Distribution will be done through rice packs by batches in five kilos up to 10 kilos, depending on the availability of supply, until each household receives 50 kilos.
Priority in rice distribution is the poorest of the poor and those workers who got displaced because of the present COVID-19 pandemic.
These are trisikad drivers, boatmen, hotel personnel, workers in beauty parlor and massage SPA.
Lapu-Lapu City started ECQ at 12:01 am. Sunday, Mar. 29. The city has 30 barangays, including 11 island barangays and 19 barangays in the mainland Mactan island.
Chan said as of March 26, Thursday, food distribution has already reached barangay Sabang, in Olango island. Distribution in all 11 barangays was done by weekend.
Chan also announced through his Facebook page that buses deployed in the barangays are for free.
“Kung ikaw molakaw paingon sa tindahan para mopalit og pagkaon o tambal, kinahanglan ka mo-present og Home Quarantine Pass para pasakyon ka sa driver. Kung ikaw molakaw paingon sa trabaho, kinahanglan lamang nga i-present ang imo ID para ka makasakay,” the mayor said.
Chan added that stranded residents are advised to call customer hotline numbers 0916-704-0391, 0916-441-6690, 0932-104-1164,and 340-2124.
Mandaue City
The neighboring Mandaue City is also set to implement ECQ starting 12:01 a.m. today.
“COVID-19 is here but the threat of hunger is also real,” Cortes said in his Facebook post.
The city government has distributed relief goods, through the respective barangays, to the most affected residents.
“Nanghangyo lang ko sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka pagsabot kun ugaling wala pa mo nakadawat sa hinabang kay atoang gi tagaan ug prayoridad ang labing nanginahanglan, katong mga wala gyuy makaon ug mga kaigsoonan nato nga wala gyuy ikapalit tungod kay nadisplace sa ilahang trabaho nunot sa pagpasira sa mga kompanya," Cortes said.
The mayor emphasized that the city government is trying its best effort to be prepared on this pandemic by making sure its constituents won't be hungry.
“Ako ug ang dakbayan nanginahanglan sa inyong tabang. Mabuntoh nato ning COVID-19 dili sa pag iyahay kundi sa pag tinabangay,” Cortes added.
30 buses
Meanwhile, LTFRB-7 is preparing to field in 30 buses for government workers in emergency cases as Cebu Province implements ECQ today.
LTFRB-7 director Eduardo Montealto, however, said that LGUs can have these buses rented and they will just give them a special permit.
“Mas maayo nga ari sila mo-rent og buses through LTFRB kay maka ensure sila nga dili colorum ang units, naay franchise ug insurance ang buses and the drivers undergone driver's academy,” Montealto said.
In a separate development, Education Secretary Leonor Briones has also delegated to regional directors the responsibility to approve or deny requests by local government units to use DepEd schools for quarantine and isolation purposes within their respective jurisdiction.
The decision should be based on evaluation of the request by the Schools Division Superintendent in consultation with the school heads and with the Department of Health. JMD (FREEMAN)