It seems that the Covid-19 contagion is cooperating with the times—as the May 9, 2022 elections draw near, the rate of new infections has gone down. Are we now in the new normal? Looks like it. I think almost everyone rejoiced after Cebu City’s quarantine status on Covid-19 was deescalated to Alert Level 1.
Last Friday, March 25, was the start of the official campaign period for local candidates—district congressional representatives, governors, vice governors and board members; and mayors, vice mayors and councilors. There were opening salvos on the first day but not so much fanfare. The biggest event so far even though organizers denied it was political in nature was the Arat Na Cebu concert at the Cebu City Sports Center. Held on Saturday night, March 26, the event gathered some 100,000 crowd in and outside the venue even though there were only 35,000 free tickets that had been printed.
On Sunday, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of the Department of Health in Central Visayas, expressed serious concern, saying the concert could be a “superspreader” event because of the mammoth crowd. I totally agree with her because no one could impose the proper wearing of face masks, and it’s not a remote possibility that there were unvaccinated individuals who joined the event.
In an interview on Monday, retired Maj. Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, Inter-Agency Task Force chief implementer for the Visayas, said huge gatherings are safe for as long as the minimum health protocol is followed and the event is held in an open-air venue. The Cebu City Sports Center is an open field with bleachers.
The organizers claimed the concert was not a political event. But Mayor Mike Rama and Councilor Raymond Garcia were present. Rama is running for city mayor against Councilor Dave Tumulak, former Councilor Margot Osmeña and businessman Cris Saavedra. Councilor Garcia is the running mate of Rama for vice mayor against ABC president Franklyn Ong and Bimbo Fernandez.
Feliciano said the Saturday night concert shows us a glimpse of the new normal, wherein we may enjoy the things we used to whilst adhering to the right behavior. However, he has strongly reminded the public that protection is a shared responsibility and everyone must take accountability for their actions.
With the start of the official campaign period for the local candidates, we should expect more huge political gatherings. In fact, Mayor Mike Rama is already eyeing another big political rally either in Plaza Independencia or at the South Road Properties. All that we could do is hope, God forbid, that these upcoming big events that could draw crowds would not be the source of another surge in Covid-19 infection.
Likewise, the political rally organizers should be responsible in enforcing the minimum health protocol such as the proper wearing of the face mask, which has been proven as one of the better ways in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Believe it or not, the Cebu City police officials, in a media interview, admitted their deficiencies and difficulties in controlling the crowd after they opened the gate of the Cebu City Sports Center at 4 p.m. that they even allowed entry of those with fake tickets for the concert. They also admitted that they were unprepared for the event despite fielding 200 policemen and the crowd disturbance management to secure the event.
It is a mismatch for 200 police officers securing the event that attracted 100,000 people. What would the cops do when everyone starts shouting and jeering without their face masks? Arresting or admonishing those rowdy people could only cause a stampede. I believe the police did it right when they left the crowd as they were.