ECQ again!

This is not what Cebu City wants. Neither does Cebu City want to be the present epicenter of and number 1 in COVID-19 cases nationwide. We also do not want to be known as the city where 11 of the 15 barangays with the most number of cases nationwide are located.

Reliable data, however, cannot be refuted.

We know why the IATF decided to put Cebu City once again on ECQ status. The public wants to ask Mayor Labella and his team why the number and spread of COVID-19 cases have not been more effectively contained.

The public wants to know if there is, and if yes, what is the City’s game plan to fight and contain the virus, to flatten the curve. Who are involved in this game plan? No one wants to be on ECQ.

So much challenges to movement. Seniors will have to endure extended period of staying home. Businesses that started to pick up when Cebu City was under GCQ now have to stop their operations anew. Thousands, if not millions, will continue to be without any means of livelihood. Poor communities will face continuing hunger and poverty.

If given the choice, no one will ever wish or want ECQ for themselves or their cities/towns/provinces.

If given the choice, so many will also want to be involved in helping to contain the virus if they are informed about Cebu City’s anti-COVID-19 policy and protocol.

We repeat our earlier questions: why are the COVID-19 cases increasing, at a fast rate, in Cebu City?

Can we have an inventory and review for the following important data?

Are there health and medical protocols? What are these and why were these not sufficient, not effective in stopping the increase and spread of cases?

Are residents wearing facemasks, maintaining physical distance, washing their hands, using alcohol as advised? Has the city government provided facemasks, alcohol and rationed water to the numerous poor in many congested communities?

Have positive cases been immediately transferred to committed hospitals and facilities? Are there enough hospitals, space and facilities for all the barangays and residents? Are these fully equipped with facilities, supplies and medical personnel? Are the medical personnel and other frontliners adequately protected?

Is there a reliable data center monitoring all the cases and contact tracing throughout the city? Who is in charge of this data center?

Who is in charge of alternative food and livelihood support for the needy residents of the city? What are the policies and programs for the poor during various types of quarantines?

The Cebu City residents also want to ask about the budget used. Can Mayor Labella and his team clarify how much of national, local funds have been spent for this anti-COVID-19 campaign?

Moving on to the third day of this second ECQ for the city, can the public ask Mayor Labella and his team to share their previous anti-COVID-19 policies, protocols and budget with the Cebu City residents so together, all can do a thorough review and analysis of the strengths and the weaknesses, the inadequacies of the past policy and protocols and move on, again together, to draft and implement a more comprehensive, collaborative, inclusive and effective course of action to protect all from the virus?

Like Mayor Labella and his team, everyone wants to restore Cebu City to a position of pride. Honest and humble acceptance, not denial, of shortcomings and weaknesses can be a first important step to take by those responsible for the anti-COVID-19 policy in the previous weeks and months. Finger-pointing is counter-productive.

Can Mayor Labella now allow for a participative, collaborative, non-partisan, evidence-based network to effectively protect Cebu City and residents?