Mayor Lucilo Bayron has ordered a 14-day lockdown of the entire Bgy. Mangingisda from April 15 to April 28, cancelling all quarantine pass issued to its residents.
Mayor Bayron said this was after he received Wednesday morning, April 15, an incident report dated yesterday stating that a total of 26 fisherfolk from Iloilo went home to Bgy. Mangingisda on April 8 and 14.
Bayron stated this report was from Dr. Dean Palanca, the incident commander of Puerto Princesa Task Force COVID-19.
“Nag-order tayo, na lalabas ngayong umaga din, ng lockdown ng buong Bgy. Mangingisda. Mula ngayong araw na ito ng Abril a-kinse hanggang bente-otso taong kasalukuyan, as recommended ng ating incident commander,” said Bayron.
“Dahil sa lockdown order, ino-order-an natin ang City PNP at Bantay Gubat na mag-establish ng boundary checkpoint sa pagitan ng Bgy, Mangingisda at Bgy. Luzviminda, mag-establish ng mga checkpoints para ma-enforce ang home quarantine, at mag-establish ng checkpoints sa mga strategic na lugar ng Bgy. Mangingisda,” he added.
Bayron also stated that Iloilo in the present has 20 COVID-19 positive patients including that of a community transmission.
Bayron made this public announcement through a live video at the official Facebook page of the City Information Department (CID) Wednesday.
He said they already requested the Philippine Coastguard and Philippine Maritime to work with Bantay Dagat in establishing checkpoints at Bgy. Mangingisda wharf and allow no one from the barangay to exit its jurisdiction.
“Naglalabas din tayo ng order sa ating CDRRMO na mag-handa ng mga food packs at i-deliver ito bahay-bahay sa lahat ng purok ng Bgy. Mangingisda. Nag-o-order din tayo sa barangay kapitan at opisyales ng Bgy. Mangingisda na agad-agad ma-inform ang mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng bandilyo. Mag-mula sa araw na ito ay kanselado ang lahat ng quarantine pass na inissue para sa buong Bgy. Mangingisda,” said Bayron.
Bayron also asked all the barangay officials to pro-actively learn if the same matter has happened within their jurisdictions and report it immediately to Dr. Dean Palanca or to him through text message or written report.
On the other hand, Absalon Umpad, chairman of Barangay Mangingisda told Palawan Daily News (PDN) in an interview Wednesday that the mayor has already called him regarding this lockdown and that food assistance will be provided to his village.
“Meron kaming padalang 2,000 plus packs pero hindi ko pa alam kung weekly ito o daily pero malalaman din natin ito mamaya basta walang lalabas ng bahay within 14 days period kaya ‘no man’s land’ kami ngayon at walang makikita sa mga kalsada maliban na lang sa mga frontliners natin,” said Umpad.
Meanwhile, Umpad said he is still in close coordination with the officials of Barangay Bagong Sikat where one of the fisherfolk resides.
(With reports from Chris Barrientos)