By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso warned that he will shut down malls in the city where people do not observe proper physical distancing measures.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
The statement came after the city government received reports of people crowding outside 999 Mall in Divisoria on June 1, the first day of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila.
In a Facebook post, a certain Mel Ismael Nebrida said people were there to pick up stocks. The crowd formed as the mall’s security guards conducted inspections before letting them inside.
Domagoso said they are already investigating the incident. He called on the administration of the said mall to ensure that their customers follow physical distancing protocols despite the relaxation of quarantine measures.
“‘Pag hindi niyo ‘yan inayos, sa administrasyon ng 999 o sa mga mall na ‘yan, maaaring operas namin ang mall ninyo. Kayo rin po ang mawawalan,” he said in his city address Monday night.
The Manila mayor reiterated that there should be a balance between lives and livelihoods in the city as the country continues to fight the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Gusto ko magbukas ang negosyo, gusto ko makapagtrabaho ang tao, pero more than anything else, mahalaga sakin ang kalusugan, kaya po binabalanse ko yan (I want businesses to re-open, I want our people to return to work, but more than anything, health is important to me, that’s why I try to balance both),” he said.
“Buhay at kabuhayan, pwede naman po natin pagsabayin ‘yan, pero may kanya-kanya tayong responsibilidad (Lives and livelihoods, we can simultaneously address both, but each of us have our own responsibilities),” he added.