THE coronavirus disease (Covid-19) seems not stopping and instead speeding ahead. I'm talking of Cebu City. What seems to be the problem? After the City was declared under general community quarantine (GCQ), the IATF on Monday reverted Cebu City to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) because of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
Cebu City still tops the list with the most number of Covid-19 cases in the country compared to the big cities in Metro Manila.
In a press conference on Monday, Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella wished that IATF would not revert the city to ECQ because non-essential businesses have started to reopen.
Cebu City is now left behind by its neighboring cities and towns, which are now under GCQ. The Province of Cebu turned modified GCQ on June 12, in time for the Independence Day celebration.
Mayor Labella, in that press con, asked the police to strictly enforce the wearing of face mask in public. He also urged the residents to stay home, unless it's necessary to access basic necessities.
Where did Cebu City fail in its campaign against the spread of Covid-19? To recall, the City Government initiated the rapid tests that at first saw resistance from the residents. There were also objections from some quarters. Is politics within City Hall the culprit?
While some City officials did not show apparent dissension with how the campaign against Covid-19 is being run, but it's also not a secret that few city officials exhibited displeasure over the interference by outsiders particularly on the purchases of the kits.
Be that as it may, Cebu City has not been remiss in its obligation to ebb the tide of this pandemic. But the City's efforts, left alone without the full cooperation of the residents, is just nada. Unless all the officials from the barangay level up to City Hall shall act as one in the fight against this pandemic, Covid-19 would be with us until I don't know when. God forbid!