What’s happening?

The increased military presence in Cebu City streets apparently had already been decided even prior to the IATF being sent to the city June 23. Netizens anxiously asked why there seemed to have been more men in uniform in their streets before June 23.

After seeing a military tank in their streets on the evening of June 23, one asked: “are you at war with the people of Cebu?”

More questions cropped up when the June 23, 10 p.m. news of suspension of previously distributed quarantine passes was released and confirmed by the Police Regional Office. Why the sudden and late notice and why announced by the PNP?

Social media was flooded with so much posts. And angry reactions.

Couldn’t the announcement of the new rule on quarantine passes wait till the next day? Why did they not give ample time for people to prepare to get their new quarantine passes and to buy essentials? Why did the notice not indicate clear instructions for applying for new quarantine passes?

FB posts of panic buying appeared. Many queries were directed at the new policy makers from Manila. An example: “if Cebu is in total lockdown, will the government provide every one with food and medicines?” Cebu City residents also asked “who is in charge now?”

Before the 10 p.m. June 23 notice, some residents of communities with high incidence of COVID-19 cases tried to console themselves- “surely, we will be consulted first before they make any decision, for example, about a total lockdown for our communities?”

Were the Cebu City residents consulted about the new IATF policy?

Also, many raised the question why the IATF officials used a very expensive hotel as venue for their conference. Could they not have saved and used the COVID-funds for the most needy rather than for their own comfortable sessions and stay in Cebu City?

What will happen to Cebu City from now on?

Will the IATF and military presence bring down the cases, slow down the virus spread in the city, especially in high COVID-infected barangays? Will more lives be saved by this new team and their policy?

What will be the impact of the new quarantine policy on mobility, livelihood, business, access and supply of food and other essentials? And on other rights and freedom of Cebuanos?

Abangan as this new drama unfolds from now on.

We can only hope for the best, that more lives are saved and the virus spread effectively contained. We pray hunger and poverty are addressed. We also pray human rights are protected and no abuse experienced.

We also hope that the new policy body will include a review of the past anti-COVID policy of the city, if any. We also hope that the policies will be guided by data and evidence. We also hope that the new policy will include protection of our brave, hardworking frontliners, provision of adequate protective items for them, and timely, appropriate compensation for their sacrifice.

While Cebu City is now considered as the COVIDd epicenter due to highest number of COVID cases and the fast rate of spread throughout communities, what is not  recognized and appreciated and which should be included for policy is the fact that Cebu City has the lowest percentage of deaths compared to other areas, about 1.5% compared to the national mean of 3.5%+ and for NCR, at 5.12%! Thanks to volunteer COVID data tracker, Dennis Ponce Tagamolila for this info!

This data is sweet vindication and a fitting tribute to our overworked, even harassed Cebu City hospital frontliners who selflessly render their time, attention and service to save lives! They deserve our salute, our continuing gratitude and prayers!