I RECEIVED calls from friends inquiring on the swab test requirement for those who enter Cebu City per Mayor Edgar Labella's Executive Order 105 that obliged me to read the EO. "Section 2. APPLICABILITY. These guidelines are applicable to all persons, who intend to travel to Cebu City but do not cover returning or repatriated overseas Filipino workers (ROFWs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs)."
Section 2 aggravated by Section 3 and the requirement of the authority to enter (ATE) Cebu City caused the confusion because it was not specifically stated that this applies only to those going to Cebu City from another province. The high cost of the swab test was the big concern. Indeed, there is a need for Cebu City Hall to issue an explainer on EO 105.
The explanation in news stories is not enough. Cebu City Hall should issue the explanation because Section 2 of EO 105 is encompassing that those who work in Cebu City but are not residents were scared that they could not get through the police border checkpoint.
Mayor Labella issued EO 105 after the Department of Health-7 (DOH-7) recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases in Cebu City, as well as in the other cities and towns of Cebu province. The city mayor doesn't want a repeat of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that stagnated the country's economy in general and Cebu City in particular.
In my social media page, I stated that police border checkpoint may be good but it is not enough to flatten or maintain the curb because you and I know that those who travel in cars or motorcycles are face mask compliant. Based on what I have observed, most of those who violate the minimum health protocols are those who converged in bars, restaurants, basketball courts/gyms, public markets, and some in malls.
This time, the police have to double their efforts. Aside from patrolling to prevent the commission of crimes, they have to constantly make surprise visits at the bars, restaurants, public markets, and basketball courts/gyms in the barangays were people, who have nothing to do and most of them without face mask, gather and jabber.
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Every day, the traffic in Consolacion, Cebu, which is traversed by the highway, is bad. It is even more horrible during peak hours. Economists know, and maybe some politicians, the dire effect on the economy when transportation is hindered by the very slow traffic that it could mean huge loss in time and resources.
Perhaps, 80 percent of the motor vehicles, big and small, that pass through the center of Consolacion is not its residents. The municipality has provided traffic enforcers in every intersection in the highway but during peak hours, their presence is nada. Besides, why should the traffic problem concern the town officials if 80 percent of motorists are not its residents? I think this should concern more 6th District Rep. Lolipop Ouano-Dizon.
Being a national road that crosses Consolacion, the Department of Public Works and Highways should have been on their toes in providing solution to the traffic problem. One noticeable cause is that establishments were built along the highway. One solution I can think of is for Representative Dizon to provide funds for the construction of the elevated tracks starting from Jagobiao and ends after the big mall or farther. With the elevated tracks, motorists that don't have business in the town could avoid the monstrous traffic.
As a personal privilege, may I greet my lovely Doc Marilou a Happiest Birthday! My soulmate for 36 years. Cheers!