City Government temporarily forbids the use of City Coliseum and conference rooms at the City Hall

The City Government has temporarily banned the use of City Coliseum and conference rooms at the City Hall for training, seminars and activities that would involve large crowds.

City Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates told Palawan Daily News (PDN) in an interview Wednesday that this is a bid to further protect the people from the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Kanina lang, a few hours ago lang namin nilabas ‘yan. Because si mayor nag-ano (nag-notice) na siya for the entire City Hall na as much as possible i-limit na talaga ‘yong mga meetings lalung-lalo na talaga if there are people invited from outside. Kung ditu-dito lang, kami lang dito sa loob, puwede pa rin, but we take all the precautions. So ‘yong sa committee meetings as much as possible talagang i-avoid namin na ‘yong maraming patawag. Pero we will try our best na hindi naman ma-affect ‘yong day-to-day na function natin,” said Socrates.

Vice Mayor Socrates said this notice, which was released March 11, is aligned with the Presidential Proclamation No. 922 that declared the entire country under state of public health emergency and pursuant to the City Mayor’s Memorandum Order No. 2020-63.

However, Socrates said this will not hamper the continuous tackling of the City Council regarding the COVID-19 prevention and measures should there be any need to arise for further meetings.

“Most likely if there are matters that really need to be discussed already, most likely kami-kami na lang like ‘yong committee members na lang and ‘yong staff na kailangan namin to record everything at siguro kung may kailangan talagang imbitahin from outside [ay] paisa-isa na lang siguro. Kasi usually everything naman ay open to the public ‘di ba,” said Socrates.

She added the City Coliseum might also be temporarily banned for worship services’ use this coming Sunday due to the large group of people gathering.

She however ensured that offices at the City Coliseum resumes.

Socrates also said they are yet to talk about this coming Monday’s regular session at the City Council if it will still be open to the public or not.

“Ang hindi lang namin napag-usapan p ‘yong sa session, kasi that is supposed to be open to the public also, pero hindi ko pa nakausap ang mga konsehal. Kasi ‘yong itong nilabas namin kanina, ako lang at city secretary ang nag-decide talaga based na rin doon sa memorandum ni mayor at siyempre based na rin doon sa order ni presidente,” said Socrates.