BALANGA CITY — President Duterte on Saturday approved the recommendation of the national inter-agency task force based on the request of the provincial IATF to place Bataan starting Sunday under the enhanced community quarantine from its former modified ECQ status.
Gov. Albert Garcia made the announcement Saturday afternoon that Bataan, except the town of Mariveles, will be under ECQ from August 8 – 22, 2021.
Mariveles, home of more than 90 enterprises with more than 40,000 workers, will be under ECQ with heightened restrictions.
Of the 1,964 active cases of the coronavirus disease in Bataan as of August 6, Mariveles has the most with 1,097, followed by Balanga City – 230, Limay – 169, Dinalupihan – 131, Orion – 110, Orani – 77, Abucay – 50, Pilar – 41, Samal – 35, Hermosa – 34, Bagac – 30. and Morong – 11.
“Batid ko ang epekto ng hakbang na ito sa ating pamumuhay at kabuhayan subalit ito lamang ang nakikita nating mabisang paraan upang mapigilan ang patuloy na pagkalat ng Covid-19 sa ating mga komunidad at sa pagsasaalang-alang na napasok na rin ng mas nakahahawang Delta variant ang ating lalawigan,” the governor said.
Latest report from the provincial health office showed there were 35 cases of Delta variant after 16 new cases were added. The Delta variant cases were among 14,643 confirmed cases. Listed also were total of 534 deaths and 12,135 recoveries.
Garcia said hospitals in the province were in critical level.
“Hinihiling kong muli ang inyong malawak na pang-unawa, patuloy na pakikiisa at pagtalima sa mga nakalatag na safety protocols at iba pang mga alituntunin dahil ang ating kaligtasan, pati na ng ating mga mahal sa buhay ay nasa atin pa ring mga kamay,” the governor said.
He asked his constituents not to resort to panic-buying because public markets, grocery stores and drug stores are open. Even public transportation, he said, will be available for essential necessities.
“Sa kabila nito, pinakamabuti pa rin na tayo ay manatili sa ating mga tahanan kung hindi rin lang mahalaga ang dahilan ng paglabas, umiwas sa matataong lugar, palaging maghugas ng kamay, magsuot ng facemask kahit nasa loob ng bahay, at panatilihin ang dalawang metrong distansya sa ibang tao,” Garcia added.
