Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 24) – Surrounded by provinces with increasing number of coronavirus cases in the northern part of Luzon, Quirino Province managed to keep its territory free from the dreaded coronavirus disease or COVID-19 for more than five months now.
In his recent State of the Province Address, Quirino Governor Dakila ‘Dax’ Cua shared some of the steps their province has taken to ensure that their constituents are protected from the virus.
Cua said that as early as February, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, he already met with medical professionals to ask if it’s possible to have a strategy to make sure that they will stay COVID-19 free.
The governor said that planning ahead of time gave them enough time to prepare in case the situation gets worse, prompting the national government to impose a lockdown in March.
“Pangalawa po we are a community united in action para tayo isang pamilya na may pagkakaisa. Tumulong din ang lahat government agencies ng lokal at nasyonal pati na religious sector,’ Cua said in a speech.
[Translation: Second, we are a community united in action so we are like a family with unity. Everyone is helping, including local and national government agencies as well as the religious sector.]
Adding to their effective COVID-19 approach are residents strictly following health protocols and acknowledging the fact that they could no longer live the way they used to and should change their mindset in adapting to the so-called new normal.
Cua added that they are now shifting their focus in improving their healthcare system and upgrading medical facilities.
“We will continue on our procurement of medical equipment and introduce reforms in the procurement process,” he added.
‘Best practices’ in minimizing infection rates
Coronavirus cases in Metro Manila have consistently been increasing in the recent weeks with an average of 1,000 cases per day.
But for some local leaders in Metro Manila, this should not discourage them from pursuing practices that can help minimize infections in their areas.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, the city where the first case of local transmission was recorded, said that they have no fatalities due to COVID-19 in over a month now.
Their recent COVID situation report also showed no new active cases and record-high recovery rates.
Zamora said that they are now shifting their focus on encouraging COVID-19 patients to avail the isolation facilities being provided by the local government.
“They will receive financial assistance and next they will have free meals, lunch and dinner free wifi and doctors and nurses,” Zamora told CNN Philippines.
The mayor said that he was able to speak to COVID-19 patients and most of them are worried about skipping work and providing for their families.
“They have a lot of things to worry about. The financial assistance helps them not to worry on other things. Dapat ang alalahanin nila gumaling (They should only worry about their recovery),” he added.
San Juan will also be imposing stiffer fines to quarantine violators and those who will not be wearing masks and social distancing violators.
A P3,000 will be imposed on first offense, while a P5,000 fine and three months imprisonment for second offense.
Despite being the only municipality in the National Capital Region, Pateros mayor Miguel Ponce III said that they were able to contain the infection rate to over a 130 cases and half of them have already recovered.
Ponce attributes this to the strict implementation of city ordinances. The local government also did not ease on protocols even if Metro Manila has shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ).
“Sa ngayon may liquor ban pa rin kami (We still have a liquor ban until today) to prevent mass gathering, strictly use quarantine pass, face mask and social distancing, may laboratory din where you have to wash your hands there,” Ponce said.
The Pateros mayor however revealed that another challenge looms for their municipality as they struggle to look for funds to sustain their COVID-19 efforts.
“The lack of funds number one, we are the only municipality in the National Capital Region (jump). Secondly, yung full support from national government kailangan kailangan natin ‘yun (Secondly, we need the full support of the national government)” he said.
Both Zamora and Ponce on the other hand shared that they prefer to stay under the general community quarantine rather than shifting back to enhanced community quarantine or modified enhanced community quarantine amid rising number of COVID-19 infections.
