BORACAY – Residents on lockdown here to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the island are appealing for more help from the national government.
There’s an ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the entire barangay of Balabag while there is a “surgical lockdown” on two zones of Barangay Manocmanoc for two weeks.
These are a crushing blow to the island’s stakeholders – business owners and residents – who have already spent more than 12 months struggling economically to survive the pandemic.
Malay acting mayor Frolibar Bautista said they needed urgent help to support thousands of people impacted by the lockdown.
Barangay Balabag reported a spike in COVID-19 cases between March 27 to April 3 (50 active) while Barangay Manocmanoc logged 37 new confirmed cases.
Since March last year, Malay recorded 153 COVID-19 cases with 59 recoveries.
“Kami ay humihingi ng tulong din ng Department of Social Welfare and Development at provincial government dahil limitado ang ating pondo sa quick response fund,” Bautista said.
Businesses and civic organizations are collaborating to gather and distribute food packs and basic supplies to households. The Philippine Red Cross Malay-Boracay chapter is raising donations to support frontliners.
Nearly 4,000 households in Balabag and Manocmanoc are affected by the lockdown.
“Magtulungan at maging matatag tayo. Sama-samang nating sugpuin ang COVID-19. Stay at home. Lumabas lamang for essential purposes,” said Bautista.
Health authorities also appealed for residents to observe physical distancing and wear facemasks./PN
