With Metro Manila now no longer tallying the most number or new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua on Sunday called on local government officials in the provinces to strictly observe COVID-19 prevention protocols to avoid outbreaks in their respective areas.
“On one hand, this is good news because it appears the outbreak is being contained in NCR (National Capital Region),” said Cua.
“We have a duty to our constituents to protect them and keep them safe; we just have to make returning LSIs and visitors understand that these health protocols are in place for everyone’s welfare.”
“That being said, the onus is now on us in the provinces to prevent surges of cases in our areas, especially now that travel restrictions have been somewhat relaxed and LSIs (local stranded individuals) and domestic tourists have been allowed entry into particular provinces,” explained Cua.
“LGUs are the first line of defense in the provinces, and we need sustained vigilance; we cannot let our guard down, because all it takes is one infected individual breaking protocols to spread the disease.”
Cua, whose province, Quirino, has zero active Covid-19 cases, underscored the importance of “consistently applying the rules and guidelines governing individuals entering our jurisdictions from Metro Manila and other areas.”
“We have to make sure there are no sacred cows, that no one is treated like a VIP (very important person),” stressed the former legislator.
Cua warned that LGUs “should avoid making exceptions for VIPs, because if they do, those VIPs may become VIPs—very infectious persons.”
“LGUs are the first line of defense in the provinces, and we need sustained vigilance; we cannot let our guard down, because all it takes is one infected individual breaking protocols to spread the disease.”
“We have a duty to our constituents to protect them and keep them safe; we just have to make returning LSIs and visitors understand that these health protocols are in place for everyone’s welfare.”
According to data from the Department of Health, Metro Manila has been dislodged by the province of Rizal as the area with the most number of new COVID-19 cases in the country.
Out of the 2,673 new cases, Rizal has 185 new cases, followed by Cavite with 175 and Batangas with 159.