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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Quezon City declares state of calamity due to COVID-19

Quezon City declares state of calamity due to COVID-19

Published Mar 13, 2020 12:00 am
By Joseph Almer Pedrajas  The local government of Quezon City has declared a state of calamity due to the threats of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (MAYOR JOY BELMONTE FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte
(MAYOR JOY BELMONTE FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Mayor Joy Belmonte made the announcement on Friday afternoon when at least five residents have already tested positive for COVID-19. "In order for our 142 barangays to be able to function... they have to have the necessary resources. And it is only under state of calamity that they will be able to utilize the quick respond funds," Belmonte said. The amount of emergency funds that the city needs is to be discussed yet, according to Belmonte. She said, what is important now "is that the barangay can now access their quick response. "As result of that, are no longer dependent on the city government for their needs and no longer dependent on very long bidding process," she added. "The state of calamity now allows the city and the abranhgys to engage in emergency procurement," Belmonte noted. Belmonte said that she urged the city council to conduct a special session to come up with a resolution declaring the city under state of calamity. The Thursday's session resulted in the creation of Resolution No. 11 Series of 2020, which declares "a state of calamity in Quezon City due to a coronavirus disease of 2019 outbreak, in relation to inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious disease." As part of preventive measure against COVID-19, Belmonte said that she already made a list of guidelines on jail facilities, mass gatherings, fiesta, medical mission, graduation rites and other ceremonies, among others. Although there are already least five residents who already tested positive for COVID-19, Belmonte said, she is not yet considering to put the city under quarantine as there are not yet two confirmed cases in one barangay. Just the same, she is still scheduled to meet with the captains of all barangays on Saturday to discuss various measures, including extending support to the Philippine National Police to guard the city boundaries. "This is the first time in many many years for as long as I can remember that Quezon City actually declared state of calamity," Belmonte said. "We're protecting the rest of the country. Handand handa naman tayo, ang lungsod ng Quezon," she assured the public.
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