Navotas, Pasay, Malabon cited for COVID-19 response

MANILA, Philippines — The local governments of Navotas, Malabon and Pasay were among the model Metro Manila cities in curbing the spread of COVID-19, the OCTA Research group announced yesterday.

In an interview with One News’ “Agenda,” OCTA Group fellow Guido David said the number of new COVID cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) has dropped, with a negative 11 percent one-week growth rate of new infections from May 31 to June 6.

In a report released yesterday, the OCTA Group said the virus reproduction number in the NCR was at 0.74, with an average daily caseload of 1,003 during the period.

This was significantly lower compared to the April surge when Metro Manila registered 40 percent of the average 10,000 COVID-19 cases daily, David told OneNews.

“Now we are at less than 20 percent, around one out of six. From the estimated 7,000 new COVID cases, 1,000 cases are from NCR, and even in the NCR Plus, it’s decreasing now,” he said.

David described Malabon, Navotas and Pasay as model local government units for stemming the tide of the virus since the April surge.

“Pasay, Navotas and Malabon are the first ones to improve. They were able to manage the COVID surges,” he said.

Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III attributed the decrease in COVID-19 cases to the residents’ strict compliance with minimum health protocols.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco credited the city government’s use of quarantine bands for isolated residents, as well as a swab test “penalty” for quarantine violators and a three-strike policy for errant barangay captains.

Tiangco said he has also reported to the Department of the Interior and Local Government a barangay captain in San Jose, Navotas for opening his swimming pool and causing a super spreader event on May 30.

The event did not result in a surge of cases, Tiangco said.