CEBU’s local leaders Thursday evening, March 19, have agreed to not implement a province-wide lockdown even with the discovery of the first confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) case in Mandaue City.
Following a three-hour meeting held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the mayors of Cebu’s four major cities and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino agreed that instead of a lockdown, strict measures to control the movement of people must be implemented to prevent the spread of the deadly virus among the populace.
Aside from Garcia and Dino, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. were present during the meeting.
Garcia and the officials who attended the meeting agreed upon that they will not impose a lockdown in Cebu due to three reasons namely supporting the livelihoods of workers who earn their pay on a daily basis.
Second, Garcia said they cannot impose a lockdown as it will also affect Cebu’s local economy including the flow of goods from one point to another.
And third, a lockdown will prevent Cebuanos from returning to their homes especially if they live within areas outside Metro Cebu. (ANV/JKV)