The top six barangays in Iloilo City with the highest number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, were placed under a 72-hour surgical lockdown starting 6:00 p.m. on May 25 until May 28 following the order of Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

These barangays are Balabago in Jaro district with 23 COVID-19 cases; Sto. Niño Sur in Arevalo district (22 cases); Quintin Salas, Jaro ( 18 cases); Calajunan, Mandurriao (13 cases); Dulonan, Arevalo (12 cases); and Calumpang, Molo (12 cases).

The specific areas of surgical lockdown from each barangay are the following:

Dulonan, Arevalo

• Zone 1 – Paho Road
• Zone 3 – Denila Road (compound) and portion of Quezon Street along national highway
• Zone 7 – Landheights Subdivision

Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo

• Zone 1 – Avanceña Subdivision
• Zone 1 – Villa Claro Subdivision (near Lomboy Chapel area)
• Zone 3 – near Seventh Day Adventist Church

Calahunan, Mandurriao

• Ana Ros Subdivision, Blk 42 Lot 10
• Ana Ros Subdivision, Blk 24
• Ana Ros Subdivision, Blk 38 Lot 32

Quintin Salas, Jaro

• Zone 2 – Imperial Subdivision, specifically along King’s Road and Queen’s Road

Balabago, Jaro

• Phase 1, 1st street Alta Tierra Village
• 4th Street Alta Tierra Village
• 6th Street Alta Tierra Village
• Block 5 – Centennial Homes
• Block 6 – Centennial Homes
• Block 7 – Landheights
• Block 20 – Country Homes

Calumpang, Molo

• Block 9 and Block 8 – Ciudad de Iloilo.

Under the order, an 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew is impose in the affected barangays.

All residents of the affected barangays are strictly advised to refrain from unnecessary travel until the COVID-19 testing and sanitation process have been completed.

Also for the duration of the surgical lockdown, only those authorized persons outside of residence are allowed to enter and exit.

Furthermore, all forms of transportation, both private and public including the unauthorized movement of persons along the street of the affected barangays are restricted except those who need immediate hospital care and management.

The City Health Office (CHO) has also conducted a mandatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for all high risk and medium risk contacts of COVID-19 positive cases in the affected barangays.

The city government also assured that it will provide the food and medical needs of the residents of the said barangays.

Gatherings and sale of consumption of liquor are also prohibited during the lockdown period while the movement of vulnerable sectors are also restricted. (Glenda Tayona)/WDJ