CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Cities in the Metro Clark area – Angeles and Mabalacat – have instituted measures against the spread of Covid-19 which is now classified as a “pandemic” by the World Health Organization.
Angeles City, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. ordered the police to strictly monitor the entry of foreigners coming from countries severely hit by Covid-19 namely China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy by deploying a 24-hour checkpoint at the city’s entry and exit points.
Similarly, hotels and similar establishments were asked to report all foreign guests coming from those countries.
“Beginning tonight (Tuesday), the city will be stricter on the entry of foreign nationals in the city. We have asked for the guidance of the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government on this matter,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin also said the city will have 24/7 hotlines from the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to receive concerns and reports regarding Covid-19. These are (045) 322 7796 (landline); 0917 851 9581 (Globe); and 0998 842 7746 (Smart).
In Mabalacat City, Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo has cancelled the moving up ceremonies of all 62 Child Development Centers in the city.
This is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency and also in compliance with the agreement made during the meeting of the City Task Force on Covid-19.
The moving up ceremonies are supposed to be held at the SM City Clark. Mayor Garbo said the cancellation is for the safety of everyone attending the activities.
The programs, certificates, ribbons and food of the children will be distributed per center and can be claimed by their parents on the scheduled date of their moving up ceremony.
“We cannot sacrifice everyone’s safety particularly our children as the number of Covid-19 cases continue to increase,” Garbo said.
The mayor also appealed to Mabalaqueños to practice protective measures to guard themselves against Covid-19, such as frequent and proper hand-washing, observing proper cough etiquette and maintaining distance from individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms.
As of press time on Wednesday, the country has 33 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
