"HALONG Bacolod" is a signage posted in strategic places in the city from the mayor of Bacolod, literally reminding everyone to strictly observe health protocols whether one is at work or in commercial buildings and open public places for some errands.
I find this simple, innovative, unique campaign platform of the city mayor imbued with compassion and determination to protect the city from the continuing onslaught of new covid variants.
In our everyday life, we often use Halong, Ingat, Amping and Ayo ayo, as our way of expressing our concern for the safety of a family member, a friend, a comrade in a political cause, a beloved, or peer group. It stems from our human nature of keeping everyone in the flock alive and well.
But the mayor and city’s concern must be reciprocated by responsibility as there have been reports that in some thoroughfares and commercial centers, citizens abuse their responsibility, converge anytime they want unmindful of health protocols while some establishment owners are quite relaxed in their health protocols.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) have recently issued reports on increasing covid cases in the city, and warned that the city might be put back in stricter quarantine level should infection rate continue unabated.
This call by the city mayor, Halong, is both a concern and a reminder that it really depends on us, on the streets, on the highways, in our homes, to protect ourselves, and keep our city from stricter quarantine measures.
Since the start of the second quarter, Bacolod City has been doing its best in keeping us at a lower quarantine level to give the city wider room for economic recovery. For that, the city has to strictly enforce health protocols and intensify vaccination campaigns. And I find the city’s moves as exemplary with the mayor and city officials leading the frontliners in combating Covid, while a number of local government units (LGUs) elsewhere are not as encouraging in their anti-Covid campaign.
So fellows, let's reciprocate by using everything and anything in our
possession to fight Covid alongside the city officials.
A popular old Sicilian adage is quite fitting for us in these pandemic times. Viva bene, Spesso l’amore, Di risata molto, which means, let us live well, love much and laugh often.
Let us follow the lead of the city mayor and his frontliners!