The residents of Barangay Manggahan in the city registered their opposition to the use of Skylight Hotel as a quarantine facility for Persons Under Investigation and Persons Under Monitoring due to COVID-19.
Tyron Sarmiento, a resident of the barangay, posted on his Facebook account what he saw on the evening of March 29 and posted pictures of placards expressing their opposition.
In his post, he called the attention of the city government and the PNP, voicing out his dismay due to the lack of consultation within the community.
A petition letter and signature campaign was also done by the residents of Barangay Manggahan to show their objection to the ongoing project.
Vivian Gray, one of the residents of barangay, said that there was no consultation made by the barangay nor the city government.
“Ako po ay nagagalit dahil kasinungalingan ‘yan dahil wala pong nag-ikot sa amin para magtanong tungkol sa kung kami ba ay pumapayag o hindi, kami po ay tahasang tumututol sa planong ‘yan dahil maraming lugar at mali ang lokasyon,” Gray told Palawan Daily in an interview.
She added that they understand the situation but they also fear for their health and safety since the hotel is in the heart of the city.
“Hindi tayo nakakasiguro kaya nag-aalala kami kaya ilipat nila ng lokasyon ‘yan ng malayo sa mga tao tulad sa city coliseum dahil may deception kasi, may panlilinlang at ‘yun ang ikinakagalit naming dahil itinatago pa nila even ‘yung construction nito,” added Gray.
On the part of Barangay Manggahan, Chairman Margil Avanceña wished not to give any comment at the moment as the matter is handled by the city government but a source told Palawan Daily that even the officials of Barangay Manggahan were caught on surprise.
“Hindi naming alam, nagulat din kami kahit si Kapitan nagulat din ‘yan kaya wala talaga siyang maisasagot sa tanong mo,” the source wished not to be named told PDN.
Meanwhile, doctors from City Health Office went house-to-house and explained to the residents of Barangay Manggahan the plan and assured their health and safety concerns.