MANILA, Philippines — The blueprint of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) COVID-19 response in Cebu City was based on a previous drive centered on Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Wednesday.
Robredo explained that their efforts — partnering with private sectors in providing free shuttle services and temporary dormitories for frontline workers — were previously done back during the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, which barred public transportation from operating.
As of now, Cebu City is under ECQ, which forces some health workers in the city to walk for long hours after a strenuous shift due to the absence of public transport.
“Gumagalaw kami at saka nagde-desisyon base sa experience namin dito sa Metro Manila noong ginawa din namin iyong mga intervention. Halimbawa, dito sa Metro Manila noon, mayroon ding mga shuttle services,” Robredo said in an interview with RMN Cebu.
“Parang giyera ito na ang sinasabak natin, ang mga sundalo natin dito iyong mga health frontliners […] Hindi puwedeng nagsa-sakripisyo na nga sila dahil sa exposure, dahil sa trabaho, tapos magsa-sakripisyo pa sila, maglalakad nang malayo, walang matirahan, gagastos para sa tirahan—tingin ko mali,” she added.
As of now, Robredo’s team and its partner-agencies have setup three routes for frontline workers in Cebu, with the first route moving from St. Paul College Foundation, Inc. in Bulacao, up to Osmeña Circle; the second route plying Osmeña Circle to the Cebu City Quarantine Center in Xiamen Street; and the third going from Cebu North General Hospital to Osmeña Circle.
A ferry service for health workers and other frontliners moving between Lapu-Lapu City and Olango Island would also be available starting Thursday.
There are also three dormitories available, one each for Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City.
For more details, interested parties can visit Robredo’s official Facebook page.
Despite these efforts, Robredo said that they are still looking for other partners and volunteers who may help with programs aimed at mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cebu, especially since dormitories are already at full capacity while shuttle services are being used to the maximum.
“Sana mas maraming partners. Sana mas maraming partners tayong mahanap natin. Kasi ang gustong sabihin ng maraming partners, mas marami din tayong matutulungan […] panahon kasi ito ng matinding krisis na kailangan magtulong-tulong tayo. So whatever it is, ang laking bagay na,” Robredo said.
“Halimbawa, doon sa mga naghihirap na pamilya, kung medyo nakakagaan naman para sa iyo, baka kahit hindi ka magbigay ng money sa mga donation drives, baka puwedeng may isang pamilya ka lang na alagaan na masisiguro mo lang na nakakakain sila tatlong beses isang araw, malaking bagay na iyon,” she added.
Earlier, it was announced during President Rodrigo Duterte’s briefing on the COVID-19 response that Cebu City would remain under ECQ — the only area in the country placed under the strictest quarantine measure.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases came up with the decision to extend the ECQ status until July 15 as hospitals are being overwhelmed.
On Wednesday, Robredo defended Cebuanos from allegations that COVID-19 cases in the city rose because of their hardheadedness, insisting that the government’s approach should be to care for its people, and not blame them for problems.