To the IATF in Cebu

We hope and pray that together, Cebu City residents and the IATF led by DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu will now move on, united and coordinated, to save more lives and contain the virus and its spread.

Today, we raise four immediate concerns which we hope the Cebu City IATF have started or already addressed.

These refer to 1.) The composition of the Cebu City IATF: 2.) Reliable COVID data, management and analysis to guide the public and policy; 3.) Immediate, urgent steps to stem the increase and spread within the lockdown communities and sitios, and, 4.) Access and provision of essential needs (like food, water, medicine, livelihood, transport) and clear public information.

First, we hope the present Cebu City-IATF is composed of multi-sectoral representatives as COVID control requires simultaneous and integrated health/medical, political, socio-economic, psychological, religious, media, police, transport, and environmental strategies and measures, among others.

Secondly, these urgent reminders related to the serious need for reliable COVID data and management that can guide information, decisions, and policy: a.) The need for synchronized and systematic data taken from reliable collection daily for the whole city, communities and sitios, and, b.) diligent, dependable data tracking, review, analysis and report/presentation for decision-makers and the public.

Specifically, we hope by now, the Cebu City IATF has reviewed the DOH and other data sources related to Cebu City COVID cases for the whole city and all barangays, from March up to the present.

From a graph shared by volunteer data tracker Dennis Ponce Tagamolila, Cebu City seems to be on its second wave during the period March 4 to June 23.

The graph based on DOH data also showed several high incidences before the May 30 end of the first ECQ period. Decreases were also noted.

The highest cases registered during the June 1-15 GCQ phase. These increases due to spread of the virus or due to more tests results confirmed and reported on June 13 and 15? From June 16, cases tapered.

Has the review singled out the factors that accounted for the increase and decrease during certain days and in certain locations?

The data review must involve epidemiologists, other medical experts, hospital administrators, academe (social scientists, math and computer experts), local officials especially health and social workers, business and industry representatives and more for coordinated, synchronized, and sound policy suggestions and decisions.

Third, and most pressing to immediately save lives and contain the spread; an immediate review of present community data (and sitios please!) because of the large population in the 12 barangays under hard lockdown!

2015 Census data showed that except for Tinago and Ermita with less than 10,000 people, all others had populations ranging from close to 11,000 to 61,000 plus in Guadalupe!

2020 community and sitio data will most likely show higher population count which must be required promptly from the Philippine Statistical Authority!

Urgently, data should locate which sitios in these respective barangays have the highest incidence and the factors for the rise and spread identified without delay, mass testing as well.

Immediate protocols have to be seriously implemented in the area. Without delay, urgent isolation of asymptomatic cases to be referred to barangay isolation centers, mild cases to identified quarantine facilities and serious positive cases to hospitals respectively.

Face masks must be required of all and provided for those who cannot afford them, including alcohol and washing water.

Movement restrictions/prohibition of movement during the lockdown should be accompanied by support systems for essentials (provision of healthy food, water, medicine, livelihood, transport). Home/community gardens and kitchens plus compensation for community-based work can be supported.

United, inclusive, participative, data-based policies and solutions please, with clear public information!