Gwen pursues economic recovery

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia is bent on getting the province’s economy back on its feet with the implementation of the general community quarantine (GCQ).

Garcia yesterday met with mayors of the 44 municipalities and six component cities of the province to discuss the points of the draft executive order (EO) she will be signing for the transition to GCQ.

In the meeting, Garcia waded off fears by reminding mayors that of the 3.2 million residents in the province, the mortality rate for COVID-19 remains at eight.

This puts the death ratio at three deaths per 1,000,000 residents in the province.

“I think, para nako lang, it is wrong nga mo-consider na ta, porket taas kaayo og incidence of positive cases, mahadlok na ta ana,” Garcia said.

“We cannot treat this as a deadly virus, it is not,” she added.

Incidental

Department of Health (DOH)-7 Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, for his part, pointed out that a number of these COVID-19-related deaths were “incidental.” Meaning, patients also had underlying health conditions apart from the coronavirus disease.

Also, Garcia pointed out that for months, while battling the pandemic, mayors have had to put on hold many priority projects like road concreting, and fixing water systems.

Many businesses have also been forced to temporarily shut down to prevent the close interaction between residents.

Based on the draft EO, under the GCQ, restaurants will again be allowed to cater to 50 percent of their usual dine-in capacity.

Malls and shopping are also allowed “limited operations” in accordance with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Memorandum Circular No. 20-21 series or 2020.

Hotels, resorts and other accommodation establishments under the province will also be allowed to accept bookings. However, only one person will be allowed to book per room and group activities (or gatherings of ten persons) will be prohibited.

Under GCQ, gyms, fitness, sports and recreation centers, bars and pubs, karaoke establishments, movie houses, swimming pools, cockpits and other leisure activities will also be disallowed.

Work in government offices may return to their full work force, however, this will still be subject to the discretion of each mayor.

Physical classes remain suspended and schools must look to the guidelines issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The entry of individuals from other parts of the country in the Province of Cebu will remain prohibited.

Moreover, curfew will be implemented from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Persons 21 years old and below and persons with immunodeficiency and other health risks will be on 24-hour quarantine still except for medical emergencies.

Pregnant women and senior citizens will also be under 24-hour quarantine.

May 20

The new EO will take effect on May 20. At present, the existing EOs remain in effect.

Even under GCQ, the province will continue with its active case finding for Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases.

Garcia again encouraged the use of immuno-boosting methods like steam inhalation, drinking if tumeric-salabat tea and freshly squeezed calamansi juice.

“I believe the way to fight this virus is to give our constituents’ bodies the fighting chance,” she said.

To recall, the Province of Cebu is among the local government units under Region VII that has been classified as medium-risk areas by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases through IATF Resolution No. 35.

LGUs under this category is recommended to go under GCQ starting May 16 to May 31.  KQD (FREEMAN)