THE food supply in Lapu-Lapu City is adequate to last until the enhanced community quarantine is over.
This was the assurance of Mayor Junard Chan, who issued on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, an executive order placing the city under enhanced community quarantine after receiving a report about a “presumptive positive” coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) case.
At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2020, the enhanced community quarantine to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will take effect in Lapu-Lapu City. However, Chan has not yet set a date for the quarantine’s end.
The City distributed its second batch of relief goods to the residents in 11 barangays in Olango Island Thursday, March 26. Another batch of relief goods will be distributed to the residents in mainland Lapu-Lapu City. However, not all residents will be the recipients as the City will select those who are really in need.
Chan said they first distributed relief goods to 8,000 persons who work in the tourism sector last month. The recipients were boatmen, local tour guides, and souvenir vendors and makers, who lost their livelihood due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza also did her part by distributing relief goods with the help of some barangay officials.
During the enhanced community quarantine, public transportation is suspended. However, modern jeepneys will be deployed in every barangay (Lapu-Lapu City has 30 barangays) that will serve as transportation for front liners, which includes medical workers.
Chan said pumpboats and ferry boats from mainland to Olango Island and vice versa are allowed to sail to provide transportation to residents in the island who need to purchase basic necessities in the mainland.
The barangays will issue quarantine passes to all households. The pass will be used by a member of a household who will go out to buy food and other essential things.
Groceries, hospitals, banks and pharmacies will remain open despite the enhance community quarantine.
Plant all you can
Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 Director Salvador Diputado assured the public of sufficient supply of food in Cebu and other parts of Central Visyas but it urged the public to start planting in their own backyard.
The DA 7 has started distributing to the agriculture offices of municipalities and cities of seedlings of cucumber, upo tambuli, kangkong tsina, pole sitao, okra, bell pepper, ampalaya, eggplant, calabasa, tomato, hot pepper and pechay. The seedlings are given free of charge.
Diputado also urged the local government units to buy fruits and vegetables from local farmers.
The agriculture official said they noted an increase in prices of imported rice coming from Vietnam and other countries.
“We will check the warehouses and enjoin rice traders to sell it in affordable prices,” Diputado said. (FVQ & JOB / MMC)