Cebu City now off-limits to non-residents

CEBU, Philippines —  Police have installed 15 checkpoints at different border points of Cebu City pursuant to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the continued fight against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

On the first day of the ECQ’s implementation yesterday, authorities intended to be lenient as there were non-Cebu City residents who said they were unaware of the existing ban on entry into the city.

Cebu City Police Office Director Colonel Hector Grijaldo, however, said that the public can expect the police to more strictly implement the ban in the coming days, especially once the color-coded passes have been duly issued by the city government.

Grijaldo urged non-Cebu City residents to leave the city and the city residents to stay within the city limits to avoid inconveniences.

“Sa pagkakaron, hatagan lang usa nato sila og pabor ug i-consider sa nato ilang gibuhat. Karon paingon pa man ni sila og sulod. Sa sunod nga mogawas na sila, i-check na nato ilaha mga certificate or quarantine pass,” he said.

Border control checkpoints have been set up at the border of Barangay Talamban with Mandaue City, as well as at the North Reclamation Area, at the boundary of Barangay Gaas, Balamban, and in the upland boundaries of the city with Toledo. A checkpoint has also been installed at the South Road Properties, in the boundary of Cebu City with Talisay City, and in Barangay Bacayan, near the boundary with Consolacion town.

The border control teams consist of police and health personnel, as well as soldiers from the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Labella message

Mayor Edgardo Labella told the CCPO personnel during the sendoff ceremony yesterday that he was hopeful the city can conquer the virus with their help.

“I'm looking forward that we will win against this very difficult battle,” he said.

Labella issued Executive Order No. 64 Thursday declaring the city under a state of ECQ effective midday, March 28, until midday of April 28, “or unless sooner lifted or withdrawn.” This is to intensify measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.

Labella assured the men in uniform that the city government wholeheartedly supports them in this undertaking.

“Samtang nagtan-aw ako kaninyo karon, I am looking beyond. Because most, if not all of you here, have your own families also to look after,” he said.

The mayor stressed that unity is important during this time of crisis and all have a job to perform, a duty to accomplish.

“Uban kanunay ang akong mga pag-ampo. I will pray for your health, I will pray for your safety, and I will pray that we will conquer this invisible enemy,” said Labella.

“And, you will go back to the arms of your loving wife, hug and kiss your children, and tell them that you did your part in fighting this enemy for their future and for the generations to come,” he added.

Labella, on behalf of the people of the city, thanked the CCPO personnel for risking their lives for call of duty to fight the invisible enemy.

He told them to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the people and make them understand that they are present to protect and serve them.

The city government also distributed 1,000 units of personal protective equipment as well as stoves to the CCPO.

Minutes before the implementation of the ECQ, Labella personally conducted the countdown at the city's border at the South Road Properties, the boundary of the city and Talisay City.

The state of ECQ means strict home quarantine in all households, transportation suspended, provision for food and essential services regulated, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures.

Media concerns

Meanwhile, the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) is asking Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Labella, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan to enlighten the public on media concerns regarding the implementation of the ECQ.

CCPC executive director Pachico Seares raised, among others, the following questions:

1) May news reporters and other media personnel who are sent out on the field use the accreditation of their respective  media IDs, signed by editors/station managers, pending the issuance of passes from the offices of the governor or mayor concerned?

2) The process of accreditation might disrupt news coverage. The government offices may limit number of personnel but probably not the right of media to choose whom to assign to the field. For example, in Mayor Labella’s executive order, who selects the “accredited media personalities” who are exempted from the prohibitions?   Use of existing media IDs  will also do away with physical contact,  at least until they come up with electronic processing.

3) Does it require one permit or pass to move within Cebu City and two other permits or passes to cross the borders (since two LGUs control the boundaries and each is expected to guard them  to enforce the separate executive orders)?

4) Are  newspaper dealers and  “newsboys” included  among the “vendors”  exempted from the “stay-at-home”  and border-crossing prohibitions? It is a vital artery in the circulation of newspapers, which also needs protection.   JMD (FREEMAN)