Cebu City mayor to appeal decision of task force putting them under ECQ

June 17, 2020

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella on Tuesday said he will appeal to the Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to reconsider their decision reverting the city under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

In a statement, Labella said he believed placing Cebu City under general community quarantine (GCQ) is still justifiable.

“The data I see does not warrant restriction set forth by an ECQ. We have the lowest percentage of COVID-related deaths among major cities in the country, and one of three LGUS (local government units) to have completed a prevalence survey through serological testing,” he said.

“Our decision has always been based on hard data because we have them. Today, I will appeal to the IATF to reconsider their decision based on the information we have gathered through the weeks,” he added.

Based on the city health department, Cebu City has recorded 3, 814 COVID-19 cases with 41 deaths and 1924 recovered patients.  Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Cebu City surpassed Quezon City in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Labella said if the IATF still sees the need for ECQ implementation, he will accept their decision.

Labella admitted that doctors were alarmed at the sudden influx of admissions and severity of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the past week that’s why IATF heeded the recommendation of the medical community.

He said with the situation, the demand for hospital care rose and the medical institutions needed to expand their capacity even though their cases remained relatively the same from May 1 to June 12 and their fatality rate remained low at one percent.

“I will take this time to ensure the fast tracking of hospital capacity expansions to accommodate more patients, and the approval of more testing laboratories to hasten their discharge. By this, we can free up more bed spaces,” the mayor said.

“We will continue to augment the manpower of our hospitals while making sure that our frontliners and health workers are well taken care of,” he added.

Labella said he appealed to the IATF so that they can all regain their means of living.

He urged all his constituents to cooperate and follow the health protocols set by the national government as they will strictly implement the rules and rightfully penalize violators.

Labella also warned all barangay officials that he will sanction them if they failed to implement the health protocols.

“I will instill discipline in the community as any diligent father should. As in a family, a father cannot work alone. Everyone plays a vital role in this family. Play your role well. Let us all be a part of the solution,” he said. Ella Dionisio/ DMS