CEBU, Philippines — Even with the improved COVID-19 numbers, the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is not yet ready to recommend lifting the curfew in the city to avoid the risk of another surge.
This despite the development in Metro Manila where the curfew has been lifted beginning November 4, as confirmed by Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos.
Abalos said that the lifting of the curfew is in consideration of malls, which the MMDA asked to open at 11 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. during the holiday season in an attempt to manage traffic.
In a statement, the MMDA said removing the curfew will give both mall patrons and employees enough time to get home.
But Councilor Joel Garganera, EOC deputy chief implementer, said there are no immediate plans yet of replicating that setup in Cebu City.
“We don’t want to lose right away what we have gained over the past turbulent months. We have to be circumspect in everything that we do especially with the coming holidays,” said Garganera.
“We have to assess the next 2 weeks. We have to work on our vaccination double time as we have to hit our target before the year ends,” he added.
The city’s curfew is from 11:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. and shall apply to all establishments and offices which are permitted to operate.
Garganera said the curfew also is a factor in the low criminality rate in the city.
“You know aside from this pandemic we have to look at it in the eyes also of the police, our peace and order situation. Drastically we put crime incident also at a low level because of the enforcement of curfew, in addition our CCTO reported low incidence of vehicular accidents because also of curfew. Duol na ang pasko dili unta sila magpalabi sa ilang gibati permi gyud ta magmatngon aron hayag atong parol karon pasko,” said Garganera.
Backed by police
Even the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) wants the curfew to stay.
Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of CCPO, said that their “stand” as law enforcers on the ground is to maintain the curfew ordinance.
“Ang curfew usa ka ka dakong tabang ug usa ka dakong rason nga napaubos nato ating COVID cases and usa pa niani, usa sa atong gipahimug-atan nga duna tay curfew ang pagpabilin nga ubos atong crime volume,” said Parilla.
Parilla said that for the past months, the curfew ordinance has been instrumental in curbing criminality since the movement of people is controlled, especially at night.
“And then less ang opportunity nga mabiktima atong katawhan, especially sa thieves and robbers, kining snatching,” said Parilla.
CCPO records an average of 12 criminal cases per week. There have been days when the city police stations were unable to record any crime at all.
According to Parilla, although some business establishments may be affected by the continued implementation of curfew, especially restobars, delivery of goods will not be hampered considering that it is essential.
“Exempted man ni sila regardless of the time nga nag transport sila og goods. Ang ato ra mang gi-control is kaning mga tawo nga wala nay gibuhat nga dili considered as APOR (authorized persons outside residence),” said Parilla.
Parilla said the CCPO Director Police Colonel Josefino Ligan has scheduled a meeting with acting Mayor Michael Rama to discuss on the matter further.
Province curfew
For her part, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will consult the local chief executives first as to the curfew hours in Cebu province.
During her press conference at the Capitol yesterday, Garcia said she has to hear first the inputs of the mayors before deciding to lift the prevailing curfew in the province.
“We will be consulting with our mayors first. As you know, I don’t immediately give policy without the inputs from our mayors and that is how we get everybody on board and moving in one direction.
Everybody is consulted,” Garcia said.
As of now, the curfew in Cebu province runs from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. This, according to Garcia, will remain for now.
The governor also said she sees no problem with the curfew being implemented.
CV, NCR ‘not similarly situated’
For the Department Health in Central Visayas, the easing up of the COVID-19 restrictions in the region will depend upon the COVID-19 situation here.
In Manila, the lifting of the curfew was said to be expected since Manila has high vaccination rate. The DOH hopes the vaccination rate will be replicated in the region.
Dr. Van Philip Baton, medical officer IV of DOH-7, said the decision on the restrictions will be up to the LGUs and the national government.
“But again looking at the COVID vaccination rate that we have, I think we still have a lot of things to do for us to reach the same level as NCR (National Capital Region),” Baton said. — Iris Hazel M. Mascardo, Le Phyllis F. Antojado /JMD (FREEMAN)