Labella thanks frontliners at checkpoints

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella yesterday visited border checkpoints to distribute additional supplies to the frontline workers.

Labella, together with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Hector Grijaldo, Cebu City Councilors David Tumulak and Joel Garganera, City Administrator Attorney Floro Casas, City Legal Officer Attorney Rey Gealon, and Department of Public Service chief Attorney Jigo Dacua.

Labella expressed his gratitude to the personnel who are currently supervising and manning the checkpoints in the city such as the police officers, military officers, fire officers and other force multipliers.

“Salamat kaayo sa inyo gipakita na kadasig. Kabalo ko dili sayon inyo trabaho, usahay makasab-an pa mo sa ordinaryong tao, ug usahay makasab-an pa mo sa opisyal sa gobyerno. Dili lalim inyo trabaho, na-realize mi ana mao dako kaayo among pasalamat ninyo,” said Labella.

Labella’s company visited the boundaries of Cebu City and Talisay City, Cebu City and Mandaue City, and Barangay Mabolo and Barangay Subangdaku to name a few of the checkpoints.

Labella distributed additional supplies such as face masks, face shields, alcohols, hand soap, hygiene kits, coffee, and food packs, among others to the personnel.

He said that since the first day of the checkpoint in different areas in the city, the city government has been distributing food and non-food provision to the law enforcement officers already.

To recall, Grijaldo said that the CCPO is planning to create a team to secure the frontliners amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This is following the City Council’s approval on Thursday of the “The Frontliners Protection Ordinance of Cebu City.”

He likewise assured that the city’s police personnel are healthy and safe. According to him, all personnel were reminded to take extra precautionary measures. They are also given ample time to rest to be able to work efficiently.

Although some police personnel are considered persons under monitoring, Grijaldo said none of them is a person under investigation.

He said that the vulnerable policemen are prohibited from serving in the frontlines. They are those who are 50 years old and above and with illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. JMD (FREEMAN)