Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Monday (March 8) has ordered the strict enforcement of health protocols amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Domagoso met with the Manila Police District (MPD), Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), and Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) at the Manila City Hall on Monday (March 8).
The local chief executive ordered the MPD to intensify police presence in the streets, barangays, and major thoroughfares to strictly enforce minimum health protocols.
“Lalo nating higpitan ang pagpapatupad ng minimum health protocols sa lahat ng kalsada at barangay sa Maynila upang matigil ang tumataas na bilang ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa lungsod (We should strictly implement minimum health protocols in all barangays in Manila to stop the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city),” Domagoso said.
He added that the police should remain courteous to the public while ensuring that minimum health protocols are being followed: “Mahigpit tayo, ngunit magalang pa rin sa Batang Maynila (We're strict but courteous to Manileños).”
Domagoso told Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) Director Romy Bagay that barangay-level lockdowns are now authorized if COVID-19 cases continue to rise in communities.
“Kapag tuloy-tuloy na lumobo ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa alin mang barangay, automatic mong i-lockdown (If the COVID-19 cases continue to rise in any barangay, you automatically lock down that barangay). Coordinate with the MPD and General Francisco for the security plan,” he told Bagay.
Domagoso ordered MTPB Director Dennis Viaje to deploy again the COVID-19 Safety Marshals on the streets of Manila to discipline those who will not follow the safety protocols.
"Muling pagalain mo ang mga COVID-19 Safety Marshals natin. Magsaway sila ng mga pasaway sa kalsada. Tuloy-tuloy tayo, walang patid, lalo na sa susunod na dalawang linggo (We will deploy again our COVID-19 Safety Marshals. They will discipline those who will not follow the protocols. We will continue, uninterrupted, especially over the next two weeks),” Domagoso said.
As of March 8, 908 new active cases of COVID-19 were reported in the city of Manila, 29,288 people have recovered, and 815 died from the virus.
According to Domagoso, the city government, through the Manila Health Department and the city’s six district hospitals, will continue to provide healthcare services to its constituents..
The city government offers free mass swab testing and free COVID-19 vaccination for its healthcare workers using the available COVID-19 vaccines.