ILOILO City – “We made a decision. Sometimes we make a good call, sometimes we make a wrong call.”
This was how Mayor Jerry Treñas summed up his decision allowing the return here from Metro Manila of a close associate’s daughter who turned out positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Yesterday morning he apologized to those who got upset by his decision.
“We try to make good decisions but unfortunately may nagakatalabo nga amo na. It’s a learning process and we hope indi na ina maliwat,” said Treñas.
On social media, the city mayor got bashed for his decision. Netizens pointed out the seeming unfairness of the city’s chief executive. They particularly cited his previous stance disallowing the return of Ilonggo overseas Filipino workers unless they have been certified as COVID-free from their point of origin.
Treñas’ public apology was a follow up to his explanation posted on Facebook late Wednesday at around 9:45 p.m. His post read:
“During the presscon I had earlier today confirming the seventh COVID-19 case in Iloilo City, it raised many questions from netizens.
“According to the Executive Order No. 064 on Enhanced Community Quarantine, essential personnel are allowed to enter the borders of Iloilo City.
“The said patient arrived over the weekend via private chopper from Metro Manila. At first, together with the COVID task force we did not agree, but when we knew that we needed RCA extraction kits we asked the person if she can carry the extraction kits needed in the laboratory of WVMC in the flight she personally arranged, since a charter flight will cost us so much, so together with the COVID Taskforce, we agreed. Upon arrival at the airport, we did a rapid test. The patient was immediately isolated followed by a PCR test.
“The patient, being asymptomatic, is now in strict home quarantine being isolated from other family members, and the rest of the staff which she came in contact with tested negative.
“Allegations made on social media platforms about exempting others in the protocol are completely false in every respect.
“However, this incident has taught us to be more vigilant, as some of our personnel carrying essential goods and equipment may be infected by the virus.”
In an interview over DyFM Bombo Radyo Iloilo on Wednesday, Treñas said the patient was the daughter of City Legal Officer Atty. Edgar Gil.
“Nagapangayo gid ko pasensya kon nag-react gid ang aton mga pumoluyo. It’s a judgment call. Indi man kita tani premiro nga magtugot but may mga RNA extraction kits nga kinahanglan ta gid. And it is also an occasion nga makapadala kita,” said Treñas over DyFM yesterday morning.
On Wednesday, Treñas said, “Ang case ta nga nag-positive isa ka taga-syudad. Nagpauli bangod napatay ang iloy. Sang naglisensya sia sa aton nga mapauli, indi tani magsugot ang aton COVID-19 team, galing may chance nga maulayhun sia kag puede madala.
It was unclear if the patient knew she was positive for COVID-19 already while in Metro Manila, or if she was tested there before returning to Iloilo City.
Treñas insisted yesterday that the patient was wearing an N95 mask aboard the chopper and people who fetched her at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo were also wearing personal protective equipment.
This was the second time in two days that Treñas apologized for an unfortunate decision. On Wednesday morning, he acknowledged that his lifting of the ban on the sale and consumption of liquor on Tuesday was a mistake, thus he re-imposed the prohibition less than 24 hours after scrapping it.
Making a bad call is one of the pitfalls in decision-making, according to the mayor. But the most important thing is correcting the mistake right away, he stressed.
“Various incidents due to intoxicated persons” promoted him to backtrack, according to Treñas.
He also cited “the many other important activities undertaken by our security personnel” and the “advice coming from various sectors.”/PN
