MCWD rebuffs Daluz order
Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) offices are closed "until further notice." MCWD announced this Monday, June 15. Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella apparently thought otherwise. At a press-con on the same day, Labella said he learned otherwise from Atty. Jose Daluz, chairman of the MCWD board.
One MCWD employee is reportedly confirmed positive for Covid-19, while another employee died but cause of death was still undetermined.
MCWD advised consumers to pay through its website and banks. It didn't say though if it's essential operations, such as delivering water by tanker to areas where its service has totally stopped, would continue. Would there be people in the office to direct the delivery?
There seems to be bad blood between some employees and Daluz. Daluz allegedly issued a memo requiring employees to report despite the case or cases of coronavirus. Daluz insisted that MCWD is a public utility and not a private corporation. It can still operate with a skeletal force to run its essential functions. He was thrashed on Facebook by the husband of an MCWD employee.
Who're to blame for ECQ?
The news about Cebu City's category being reversed to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) or total lockdown has brought a spate of harsh comments, a slew of speculations and a heap of often misdirected criticisms.
Look at these eruptions of the blame game in social media:
[1] Blaming the mayor for the back-to-square-two category, even lower than Manila's, which is under general quarantine.
With wistful, if silly wishes, such as "Cebu City needs Tommy O ...back." Or pragmatism: "Whoever is the city mayor, Covid thrives." "Why blame the leaders?" And despondence: "Paeta!" Or suicidal thought: "Will get married once the quarantine is over."
[2] Blaming someone else who, they say, is playing "mayor-mayor." A meme plays on his first name and an extinct animal. Or "playing Paul Joseph Goebbels" (the Reich's minister of propaganda).
[3] Blaming local officials who boasted that Cebu City is "one of the most prepared cities in the entire country" to deal with Covid-19.
[4] Blaming those who violate health protocols while most others obediently heed the health standards. ("We only have our undisciplined selves to blame.")
[5] Blaming Manila for deciding a matter that rightfully belongs to local governments.
[6] Blaming the IATF and the health secretary who allegedly pushed the wrong buttons in decision-making.
[7] Blaming national leaders who have entrusted the job to a "hit-and-miss" task force.
[8] Blaming the regular media for not reporting enough on the progress of the anti-Covid-19 efforts.
[9] Blaming themselves, who throw the comments like missiles, just watching and criticizing on social media platforms.
Looking 'at the bright side'
[1] It is "killing political careers and unmasking incompetence."
[2] We are "saving lives but killing livelihood."
[3] "Sigi lang. Covid will probably calm down after June 30." Could a "mindless killer" inspire expectations and hopes?
[4] From the city mayor: "Like the Sinulog dance offered to Senyor Santo Niño, this is one step backward and two steps forward."
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