Zamboanga congressman, Bocaue mayor infected

MANILA, Philippines — Zamboanga City second district Rep. Jose Manuel Dalipe and four members of his family have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Dalipe said his wife Keenah, his daughters Margaret and Madison and his father Manuel, a former mayor of the city, also contracted the virus and are now confined in a hospital.

“We received calls from the city health office informing us of the results of the swab tests,” he said.

Dalipe said his father was the first to contract the virus.

“Please continue to pray for us as we also pray for everyone’s health and safety,” Dalipe said.

The congressman and his family members are among the 18 cases recorded in Zamboanga on Monday.

City health officer Dulce Amor Miravite said there are 117 active cases among the total 3,703 recorded in the city.

In Bulacan, Mayor Jose Santiago Jr. and Councilor Aldrin Sta. Ana of Bocaue confirmed yesterday that they tested positive for COVID-19.

Santiago and Sta. Ana said the results of their swab tests were released on Tuesday.

In a post on Facebook, Santiago said he is asymptomatic and is on self-quarantine. He said his wife and children would also be tested.

Santiago ordered the municipal building closed this week to pave the way for disinfection.

He advised those who were exposed to him to undergo self-quarantine.

Santiago said those who manifest symptoms of the disease should report to the barangay health officer or call the local COVID hotline, 0997 6010408 for them to be tested.

Laoag cases spike anew

As this developed, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte recorded a spike in confirmed cases, with 33 recorded yesterday, according to the provincial health office.

Four of the new cases are aged three to 10 while the oldest is 79.

Laoag reverted to a more relaxed modified enhanced community quarantine on Dec. 25, but reported an increase in the number of cases after the holidays.

Sixty-eight of the 80 active cases in Ilocos Norte are from Laoag.

In Isabela, four barangays were placed on lockdown in Tumauini town as the number of confirmed cases increased from 32 to 56 yesterday.

Access to six adjoining barangays were restricted even as travel permits, except of frontliners, were canceled.

Liquor ban

In Pangasinan, Mayor Simplicio Rosario of Binmaley issued an executive order imposing a liquor ban effective today due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

Rosario issued an executive order on the ban on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages starting at 1 a.m.

Serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages in establishments or in private places but within public view is prohibited.

Rosario also reminded town residents that the curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. remains in effect under a resolution of the Binmaley Task Force Against COVID-19.

Violators face a fine of P2,500 or seven days imprisonment or both. – Delon Porcalla, Raymund Catindig, Eva Visperas