ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas appealed for public understanding and cooperation amid the metro’s modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status.
The city mayor ordered close all non-essential businesses here to further stem the surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
He noted that he knows that there are some who could not fathom his decision of implementing MECQ and the heightened restrictions.
Treñas said he’s “been working so hard” to give only the best for the city and its people by shaping the economic and tourism landscapes.
“That is why it is with a heavy heart that I had to decide on closing non-essential businesses. It pains me knowing that the economy continues to thrive but at the expense of the health and safety of my people,” he announced on social media yesterday.
As of June 4, based on the Department of Health (DOH)-6 regional bulletin, Iloilo City had 1,781 active cases of COVID-19, the highest among provinces and highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas. Of its 8,263 cumulative confirmed cases, 6,266 have recovered while 213 died.
From June 1 to June 3 alone, based on City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) data, three digits cases in a day were recorded wherein 109 in June 1; 124 in June 2; and 118 in June 3 with a daily average case of 117.
Treñas appealed to the Ilonggos to think of the greater good and not only of themselves.
“While you all rant because you cannot continue with your daily activities and businesses, many of our fellows struggle to survive COVID-19, and more sadly, many are dying. This is not the best time to be selfish, rather, we have to let compassion reign in our hearts,” he added.
He further emphasized that this crisis is not only for the government to handle but also requires commitment from every Ilonggo to take part actively, to religiously abide by rules and regulations and to by all means promote unity, cooperation and love rather than to spread divisiveness, apathy and hate.
“Again, we cannot let you freely do what you want at the expense of everyone’s safety,” he stressed./PN
