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Barangay Luz in Cebu City has the highest number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Central Visayas. Health officials reported 82 new cases of this densely populated barangay on Friday, April 17, 2020. | Photo courtesy of the Cebu City PIO
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Virgilio Revas, 61, is taking maintenance medications for his heart disease.
He said his supply of medications and vitamins is now running low.
His greatest concern is where and how to obtain additional medications with the blockade that was implemented starting April 12 at Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz in Cebu City, where he lives. The poor urban community has a population of approximately 10,000 people.
“Say man gyod ko mogawas kay senior naman ko unya between silingan positive man,” he said.
(I would never be allowed to leave because I am a senior citizen and we have neighbors who tested positive for COVID-19).
While living with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren, Revas said that none of her family members can also leave their home to withdraw cash and buy essential items due to the closure.
To add to your concerns, the blockade will already be expanded to cover the entire Luz barangay, which has a population of at least 33,000 and is located in the northern district of Cebu City as soon as the guidelines for its implementation are finalized.
Closing of all Barangay
Health officials have already recorded 135 positive cases of COVID-19 at Sitio Zapatera in just one week.
Mayor Edgardo Labella explained that placing Sitio Zapatera and the rest of Barangay Luz under lock and key is a means of preventing the spread of the infection to other parts of the city.
During closing, residents will not be able to leave their homes. Now they will depend on the food ration from the city government and the barangay for their daily needs.
Health personnel and law enforcement personnel have also stationed there to restrict movement of residents.
As soon as some residents of Barangay Luz have already expressed concern, especially about the depletion of the drinking water supply they obtain from distilled water providers.
Stagecoaches
Luz Barangay Councilor Maynard Salinguhay told CDN Digital that they are now trying to design a system to especially ensure that the residents of Sitio Zapatera have access to their basic needs.
Under the system, barangay workers will make house-to-house visits on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and run errands for residents such as buying, withdrawing cash, or sending items to people outside their barangay.
Salinguhay said they are also trying to find ways to ensure that there is sufficient water supply for people in the area.
Residents used to stock up on drinking water from a nearby water refill station that has already stopped working after cases of COVID-19 were reported in the community.
Salinguhay said they have managed to convince the operator of the water refill station to resume operations on Sunday with the promise that the barangay will regulate the number of buyers at once to prevent the spread of the infection to its employees.
The Cebu Metro Water District, he said, has also completed its work to improve the distribution of tap water to Luz residents.
Help is needed
Salinguhay said that while the city government and the barangay coordinate to meet the needs of their residents, they would also appreciate the help of individuals.
Barangay residents, he said, especially need vitamins to boost their immune systems.
Government workers are doing their best to complete the establishment of a facility at Barri Luz National High School, where COVID-19 patients will be asked to stay until they recover from infection.
While the government works, Salinguhay is asking barangay residents to do their part by staying home and praying that the virus will already dissipate. / dcb
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