Sectors sign manifesto vs COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines — Leaders from the religious, medical and business sectors have signed a manifesto expressing unity in the battle against COVID-19.

The signing of the manifesto was led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma on behalf of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Dr. Leticia Abinuman for the Cebu Medical Society, Felix Taguiam for the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ambassador Francisco Benedicto for the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

They said that with the COVID-19 remaining unstoppable – a grave threat to health, livelihood and lives – it is vital that they pool together and in solidarity address this crisis in its complexity.

They emphasized the urgency for intensive proactive and combined efforts to stem the virus’ transmission, to ease the burden on our medical workers and all those in the frontline as well to start rebuilding the foundations for economic growth and survival of our communities.

It is through cooperation that they understand the current challenges and formulate strategic directions for action and have agreed to coordinate and cooperate with health authorities and local leaders.

They acknowledged the need for massive information drive to educate the people on the prevention of COVID-19 transmission through wearing of facemask, social distancing and hygienic sanitation.

Aside from that, they also sympathized with the current challenges faced by those in the health care system and pledged to support them through giving out PPEs, risk compensation as well as moral and spiritual support.

“We recognize the need to balance public health with economic health in order to save the economy from total collapse,” part of the manifesto reads.

The manifesto also supports the ramping up of economic activities of businesses in phases following the IATF guidelines and according to essential market needs and employment generation.

“We advocate self-regulated workplace health protocols as the new normal to avoid transmission in the workplace so that livelihood will be revived,” it said.

The groups said it is their intention to help the most disadvantaged people and businesses in this time of crisis. LPM (FREEMAN)