Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan (middle) gives out a pack of rice and a tray of eggs to a household of Villa De Sto. Rosario subdivision, which was placed on lockdown. (Photo from the Capas Information Office)
MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga –– The mayor of Capas in Tarlac province placed a subdivision in his town under “special concern lockdown” starting midnight of May 31 after 10 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the area.
In a video message, Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan asked the residents of Villa De Sto. Rosario subdivision within the boundaries of Barangay Cutcut II and Barangay Sto. Rosario for understanding, saying they had to endure the lockdown until midnight of June 5.
He said police stationed at all the entry and exit points of the subdivision had been ordered not to let the residents go out of the subdivision. Barangay officials and watchmen patrol the streets to ensure that people would stay inside their homes.
He said barangay officials and watchmen were also there to cater to residents who need to buy essential goods outside the subdivision.
“May mga barangay service (vehicle) po tayo at mga tao na nakahandang mag-assist sa inyo para hindi na ninyo kailangang lumabas. Alam ko pong hindi kumportable ang setup na ito pero hindi tayo pwedeng magpabaya,” Catacutan said.
(We have barangay service and people ready to help you, so you don’t have to go out. I know this setup is not comfortable, but we cannot be lax.)
He said only Villa De Sto. Rosario subdivision is on lockdown. “Hindi po kasali sa lockdown ang Barangay Cutcut II at Barangay Sto. Rosario,” he clarified.
(Excluded from the lockdown are Barangay Cutcut II and Barangay Sto. Rosario.)
On Wednesday, Catacutan led the distribution of packs of rice and eggs to households inside the subdivision. On the same day, the municipal government recorded 11 new COVID-19 cases.
As of June 2, Capas has 98 active COVID-19 cases of a total of 1,209. It registered 26 deaths and 1,085 recoveries.