Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said he plans to issue an executive order creating a task force to combat the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
“Sa subong sa syudad waay pa kita confirmed [cases]; may ara kita PUI pero waay pa confirmation asta subong (There are currently no confirmed nCoV cases in the city, while there are patients under investigation, there has been no confirmation as of yet),” the mayor explained. “We, as much as possible, want to make sure that situation will remain in Iloilo City.”
He said Dr. Roland Fortuna of the City Health Office will lead the group, which will be comprised of representatives from the Department of Health-Region VI (DOH-6), hotels and restaurants, malls, barangays, and Department of Education-Region VI (DepEd-6), and tasked with meeting, discussing, and relaying information on developments from the central and regional DOH offices.
“Ang importante nga transparent ang tanan nga gakatabo kag waay kita may ginatago para ang mga pumoluyo indi man mag panic (It is important everything is transparent and nothing is hidden in order to avoid spreading a panic among the local populace),” Treñas noted.
Last Monday, the mayor met with representatives from local malls and hotels, along with barangay officials and DepEd personnel, to discuss concerns surrounding the virus. During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of cooperation by barangays.
The city government is also planning to purchase facemasks and rubbing alcohol to distribute to the public.
Last Friday, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order creating the Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force Against the Novel Coronavirus, wherein he appointed Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran as chair and City Councilor Cindy Rojas, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health, and city health officer, Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, as vice chairs.
According to the order, duties of the task force include creating a standard protocol when dealing with nCoV; coordinating with national and local crisis management committees; collaborating with concerned government agencies, private entities, and non-governmental organizations; assessing the city’s preparedness; and conducting education and information drives.
There are currently three “persons under investigation” for nCoV in Bacolod City./WDJ