CEBU Governor Gwen Garcia is now back to work after she was off for awhile in her weekly online presser. Rumors spread in social media that she must have been infected with the coronavirus and she was on self quarantine or hospitalized. The sincere concern though of the governor's friends and supporters is understandable.
It's just unfortunate that there are those who took advantage of spreading the bad news on the governor's absence in the limelight in this pandemic, especially after it was reported that her chief-of-staff, Atty. Franklin Dinsay, who was always near her during her press conferences, was hospitalized. But the governor said it was dengue that hit Dinsay and not Covid-19. Dinsay is now out of danger. God is good all the time!
On Monday, during Governor Garcia's online press con held in Barili, the first thing she did was slammed her critics and branded as fake news the story that circulated on social media that she was hospitalized due to Covid-19. Barili Mayor Marlon Garcia is the governor's brother.
In that online presser, SunStar Cebu quoted Governor Garcia saying: "I'm here. I'm not at the hospital. I will only pray that you (referring to her critics) won't get karma. That is why those who are spreading fake news that I have Covid-19, I can only pray that you won't get sick of the same disease." She won't press charges.
Of course, no one would want anyone to be infected of this dreaded coronavirus that wrecked havoc not only in our country but the entire world, that even USA, the most powerful country, tops the chart with the highest number of infections and deaths worldwide.
That's a great relief to the friends and supporters of Governor Gwen that she is after all very well, and still sexy?
In that same online press con, Governor Gwen revealed that traditional PUJs can now ply in the towns and barangays after Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade acceded to her request. The towns and component cities, except Talisay City, Minglanilla and Consolacion, of the province are now under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
The announcement of the governor should not be a reason yet for the PUJ operators and drivers to celebrate with glee because there are strict regulations for them to comply. Among them are: 1) their PUJs should be roadworthy and; 2) they are banned from the highway. With these regulations, I doubt if the PUJ operators and drivers could comply or they would operate.
These are good news though for the people of the Province, except Talisay City, Minglanilla and Consolacion, that their status was downgraded to MCGQ after about four months of ECQ, while Cebu City is still reeling from the effects of the ECQ even if it was downgraded to MECQ in July 16. As a reminder, though, they should not be fooled of the downgrading because Covid-19 is still here.
Under MGCQ, the non-essential businesses can now reopen and those who have work can now go back to their employment. Our leaders are hoping that the MGCQ could spur back the country's economy, in general, and in the towns and cities, in particular.
The tourist destinations in the towns can now re-open to the local tourists. The things that people normally do before Covid-19 hit the world could no longer do the same. The operators of the non-essential businesses are required to strictly comply with the health protocols and for the tourists to also observe. Lastly, please be safe!