ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas warned those intending to defy his order prohibiting mass gatherings as a precautionary measure against the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Sa tanan naton nga mga palangga nga mga pumoluyo sang syudad, ang tanan nga indi magsunod sang aton executive order, i-cancel ko inyo permit. Ipasira ko inyo establishment. Bahala kamo da,” he said yesterday.
Treñas issued Executive Order No. 48-2020 amending EO No. 038 suspending all major public gatherings in the city until further notice.
Mass gatherings, social events like barangay fiestas, public and/or private school activities, rallies and the likes are among those prohibited.
“Under the General Welfare clause of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code), it is imperative that the city of government suspend all major gatherings to reduce the exposure and risk of its citizens from contracting COVID-19,” stressed Treñas’ amended EO dated March 11.
The first EO (No. 038) suspended all major gatherings from February to March only. The EO amending it made the suspension open ended, or until further notice from the city government.
The mayor and the city health office also met with the alliance of hotels, malls and establishments and discussed their precautionary measures against COVID-19.
“They are also concerned. This is something I don’t want to do but we have to do this to make Iloilo safe for everyone,” said Treñas.
At city hall, the “no ID, no entry policy” is strictly being enforced. Clients are provided with visitors pass and their documents in an office on the ground floor for the concerned city hall office to retrieve.
On the other hand, the Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO) of the city government has been instructed to “operationalize the four-day work-week”.
Markets will be sanitized daily together with plazas and the Iloilo Esplanade, added Treñas.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fire Protection has been requested to go around the city and prod barangays to undertake cleanup activities.
Barangays are advised to purchase disinfectants such as bleach or chlorine for them to sanitize their areas, said Treñas.
But even as the city government strengthens its precautionary measures, the mayor said the public should not worry because the metropolis has sufficient basic commodities as assured by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, the mayor said he would meet with Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to discuss preparations for the expected influx of returning Ilonggos at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilofollowing the community quarantine imposed in the National Capital Region.
“We are ready to support in terms of equipment and personnel,” said Treñas.
He recently issued an order prohibiting foreigners from countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19 from attending mass gatherings.
People with a history of travel to other countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19 and have not completed 14 days of quarantine are also not allowed to attend mass gatherings.
Other health safety guidelines issued vis-à-vis mass gatherings were the following:
* Practice proper respiratory hygiene when at mass gatherings. This includes covering the nose and mouth with disposable tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose used tissue properly.
* Persons with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection such as cough and cold should wear medical masks.
* After contact with respiratory secretions, one should perform hand hygiene.
* The elderly, young, pregnant women and those with existing medical conditions should wear facemasks at all times.
* Organizers of mass gatherings should make available hand sanitizers and alcohol to the attendees.
* Organizers of mass gatherings must have medical and security plans approved by the Philippine National Police and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
* There should be medical teams and ambulances on standby during mass gatherings. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
