Rama asks council to support Cimatu

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama has enjoined all members of the 15th Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) to fully support the adjunct team that Secretary Roy Cimatu is heading to help in the fight against COVID-19.

“As we individually and collectively follow the basic protocol of fighting against COVID-19, such as wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing, and staying at home, we shall also support them in containing the movement of local residents and discouraging unnecessary travels during this ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” said Rama.

In a privilege speech last Friday, Rama said this is to ensure the control of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, especially in the 12 barangays having the highest number of active cases. Among these barangays are Sambag 1, Guadalupe, Kamputhaw, Lahug, and Basak San Nicolas.

With Cebu City being the only area in the country that is under ECQ, Rama said the national government is now focusing their resources and support on the island of Cebu, particularly in the city.

Cimatu, Environment Secretary and retired general, was directed by the president to oversee the COVID-19 response in Cebu.

The City Council’s presiding officer said the executive and legislative department shall “move in unison and observe due process” to ensure the success in the compliance of the quarantine rules thereby controlling and reducing the COVID-19 cases in the city by July 15.

Rama recalled that the 15th SP, early this year, has already been espousing the “One Island, One Voice, One Direction” strategy in combatting COVID-19.

“We could have avoided the trouble caused by quarantine passes distribution and rising cases if we pursued the Information, Communication, Education (ICE) campaign in the barangay level,” said Rama.

In this manner, the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation carry the responsibility and accountability of their actions to their constituents, he said.

He added it simplifies their understanding and enforcement of procedures and health protocols since the sitio, barangay, and sectoral leaders know themselves better.

“And so we ask the question… why can’t we trust the barangays? Why are we still too centralized? The spirit of the local government code gives local autonomy and interconnectivity from the barangay up to the city, municipal, provincial, regional, and national levels,” said Rama.

“Our recent experiences in the distribution of the Social Amelioration Fund (SAF), Senior Citizen’s financial assistance, and rice & food assistance showed us lots of lapses and if we read between the lines, we could learn a lot from them,” he added.  GAN (FREEMAN)