Vice mayor of Cotabato town tests positive for COVID-19

Test tube of sample, positive for new coronavirus. File Photo

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A town vice mayor is the latest among local officials in Cotabato province to contract the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Vice Mayor Cheryl Valdevieso-Catamco of Matalam town is now isolated at a hospital in Davao City after testing positive for the deadly virus.

According to Emilia Dandoy, municipal local government operations officer, the town’s first councilor, Ralph Ryan Rafael, has taken over as acting vice mayor in Catamco’s absence.

Catamco was the second elected official of Matalam who tested positive for COVID-19. In late May, Councilor April Babol contracted the virus and has overcome the disease and is now back to her legislative work.

In a statement, Babol urged townsfolk “to pray for the fast recovery of the vice mayor and strengthen their family and our municipality in these trying times.”

Other local officials in the province who tested positive for the virus and now fully recovered include Mayor Reuel Limbungan of Tulunan, Mayor Jesus Sacdalan of Alamada, Mayor Florenito Gonzaga of Magpet, Mayor Armando Quibod, and Vice Mayor Ryan Tabanay of Makilala.

Ali Abdullah, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said elected officials are at risk of getting the virus while performing their duties.

“They have unguarded moments, they forgot to properly use the facemask and face shields, so they get infected,” Abullaha said in a radio interview.

Cotabato province remained under general community quarantine until July 31 as per Executive Order 33 issued by Gov. Nancy Catamco.

To date, Cotabato province has a total of 3,640 confirmed cases, 14 of whom were recorded Tuesday (June 29), 2,758 have recovered and two new fatalities, raising the COVID-19 related deaths to 191.