Mixed signals confuse Sitio Zapatera residents

CEBU, Philippines —  Confusion is adding up to the anxiety felt by the residents of Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, Cebu City amid the COVID-19 pandemic because of mixed pronouncements from the city officials on the real status of their place.

Mayor Edgardo Labella lifted the lockdown on May 20 after the sitio recorded more recoveries. But the police and the city health office placed the sitio on lockdown again a day after because there were still nine residents who tested positive for COVID-19.

However, City Legal Officer Rey Gealon yesterday said the mayor’s memorandum lifting the lockdown on Sitio Zapatera remains. Gealon, who is also Labella’s spokesperson, clarified there is no more lockdown in the area.

“Sa Sitio Zapatera daghan nangutana kung na lift ba ang lockdown. Si Mayor isip usa ka consultative leader uban sa atong kapulisan ug Cebu City health ni issue sa memorandum 2020-296 nga nag-lift sa Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz sa mao nga lockdown,” Gealon said.

According to him, people from the sitio are prevented from going out because the city is still under the state of enhanced community quarantine.

“Ang gikalibgan man gyud sa uban kay ngano di sila ka gawas, of course, ang kinatibuk-an sa dakbayan sa Sugbo naa pa gihapon sa enhanced community quarantine, ang pasabot ana dili gyud ta maka laroy-laroy, dili gyud ta maka lakaw-lakaw sa mga tagsa-tagsa nga mga panimay,” Gealon explained.

Gealon said the memorandum lifting the lockdown was issued by the mayor based from the recommendation of the experts who are on the field and also in recognition of the resolution from the Barangay Council recommending for the lifting of the total lockdown in sitio Zapatera.

Gealon said that contact tracing and swab testing are still being conducted in the area because of the remaining positive cases.

“Di lang ta mag libog dirang dapita kay dunay nag-positive padayon paman gyud gihapon ang swab testing ug contact tracing, apan ang lockdown ang atong hisgutan na lift na na,” he added.

But Eldebrian Arañez, barangay Luz’s spokesperson, said they were told by the City Health Department (CHD) that they are putting back the sitio on lockdown again a day after it was lifted since there were still positive cases.

Arañez said that as per the latest status they received from the CHD, a report was made and to be submitted to the city government.

“Gibuhatan na og report sa City Health para ila na ma-submit sa City Government kung unsa na ang sunod buhaton kay likely daw as per Doctor (Daisy) Villa gikan sa iyang interview sa media, na within this week naa nay result sa lifting sa Zapatera,” said Arañez.

“In regards sab sa statement ni Atty. Gealon kanina, kadto ni ingon siya na lifted gyud ang lockdown sa Sitio Zapatera amo pa na i-verify kay hasta kami diri nag libog mi... pero on our side kung mao man ang statement ni Atty. Gealon as spokesperson sa Cebu City Government, then why not? Ato na ipa-abrihan dinha,” Arañez added.

At present the residents are still not allowed to leave the area. Sitio Zapatera was locked down on April 7, 2020 after it recorded its first positive case. With at least 1,000 families living in the sitio, the city government saw the risk of transmission was high. FPL (FREEMAN)