Manila Bulletin
Philippines
San Juan City to declare state of calamity; city has15 patients with COVID-19
Philippines
San Juan City to declare state of calamity; city has15 patients with COVID-19
San Juan City to declare state of calamity; city has15 patients with COVID-19
Published Mar 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
San Juan City is set to declare a state of calamity as it announced Sunday that there are currently 15 patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the city.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (San Juan City Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) on Sunday to recommend to the City Council to place the city under a state of calamity.
“As of this time, we already have 15 confirmed COVID-19 patients from the City of San Juan at ngayong hapon nga po magco-convene ang (and this afternoon the) City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (will convene) wherein the council will recommend the declaration of state of calamity,” Zamora said.
He said the City Council will then have a special session where they will discuss three important matters, which included the declaration.
Once the state of calamity is declared, Zamora said the local government will be able to access its calamity funds that will be used to purchase necessary equipment and materials to help stop the spread of the disease.
“At dahil 15 na ang COVID-9 patient na positibo sa San Juan, it's more than justified the declaration of state of calamity,” he said.
Zamora said most of the COVID-19 patients recorded in the city are residents of Barangay West Crame.
“Meron tayong dalawang tinatawag na hotspot in terms of COVID-19, and this is the Greenhills Shopping Center at ang Barangay West Crame,” the mayor said.
The hotspots, he said, were identified because most of those working in the shopping center are residents of West Crame.
Zamora also said four employees of a salon located in the shopping center have tested positive for the disease.
“Meron isang salon sa Greenhills Shopping Center na apat ang nag-positibo sa kanila. ‘Yung apat na ‘yun hindi lahat taga-San Juan pero nagtatrabaho in this specific salon,” he said. The salon was already closed and disinfected.
The mayor said all of the COVID-19 patients in San Juan are in stable condition.
During the session, the City Council will also pass an ordinance for the implementation of curfew as well as the temporary closure of shopping malls in the city.
Zamora said the curfew, which will be imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., is in line with the Metro Manila Council resolution to implement curfew in their respective localities as a way to curb the spread of the disease.
The city mayor earlier said he had coordinated with the management of shopping malls in San Juan for their temporary closure beginning Sunday “until further notice.”
“However, groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, drugstores, medical services, banks, and restaurants with home deliveries will remain open,” Zamora said.
He said Greenhills Shopping Center, Promenade, Theater Mall, and the Santolan Town Plaza will be indefinitely closed “to ensure the safety of everyone amidst the threat of the COVID-19.”
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (San Juan City Official Facebook Page / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) on Sunday to recommend to the City Council to place the city under a state of calamity.
“As of this time, we already have 15 confirmed COVID-19 patients from the City of San Juan at ngayong hapon nga po magco-convene ang (and this afternoon the) City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (will convene) wherein the council will recommend the declaration of state of calamity,” Zamora said.
He said the City Council will then have a special session where they will discuss three important matters, which included the declaration.
Once the state of calamity is declared, Zamora said the local government will be able to access its calamity funds that will be used to purchase necessary equipment and materials to help stop the spread of the disease.
“At dahil 15 na ang COVID-9 patient na positibo sa San Juan, it's more than justified the declaration of state of calamity,” he said.
Zamora said most of the COVID-19 patients recorded in the city are residents of Barangay West Crame.
“Meron tayong dalawang tinatawag na hotspot in terms of COVID-19, and this is the Greenhills Shopping Center at ang Barangay West Crame,” the mayor said.
The hotspots, he said, were identified because most of those working in the shopping center are residents of West Crame.
Zamora also said four employees of a salon located in the shopping center have tested positive for the disease.
“Meron isang salon sa Greenhills Shopping Center na apat ang nag-positibo sa kanila. ‘Yung apat na ‘yun hindi lahat taga-San Juan pero nagtatrabaho in this specific salon,” he said. The salon was already closed and disinfected.
The mayor said all of the COVID-19 patients in San Juan are in stable condition.
During the session, the City Council will also pass an ordinance for the implementation of curfew as well as the temporary closure of shopping malls in the city.
Zamora said the curfew, which will be imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., is in line with the Metro Manila Council resolution to implement curfew in their respective localities as a way to curb the spread of the disease.
The city mayor earlier said he had coordinated with the management of shopping malls in San Juan for their temporary closure beginning Sunday “until further notice.”
“However, groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, drugstores, medical services, banks, and restaurants with home deliveries will remain open,” Zamora said.
He said Greenhills Shopping Center, Promenade, Theater Mall, and the Santolan Town Plaza will be indefinitely closed “to ensure the safety of everyone amidst the threat of the COVID-19.”