Manila Mayor Isko Moreno implements COVID-19 action plan

"Wala pong dapat ipangamba. Naunawaan ko po ang inyong kaba at agam-agam, sa mga panahong ito."

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has announced the implementation of a COVID-19 Alert system, "Code Red COVID-19 action plan: Contain and Delay" on Thursday evening.

In an address to Manila residents, the mayor provided the plan that includes a budget for information dissemination, provision for food and water, medicine and purchase of medical equipment to curtail the spread of the disease.

Moreno even set aside a budget for Vitamin C and B Complex for senior citizens, who are the most vulnerable sector to the deadly coronavirus.

He set out a well thought out plan as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus diease 2019 or COVID-19 that include efficient contact tracing if there are individuals found to have contracted the novel coronavirus that causes the disease.

In cooperation with the national government and its line agencies, the Manila City government will have a response plan that includes the deployment of a skeletal force in which only personnel from the Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office, sanitation, and health office will report for work.

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Government employees will only report for work four days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. as Moreno assured that the city government is open 24 hours and seven days a week.

On information dissemination, about 2,000 tarpaulins were prepared and will be displayed in different parts of the city to raise awareness on proper hygiene

A P227.5-million budget was also set aside for food that would feed about 350,000 families for three days as of preparations in case the COVID-19 scenario takes more time than expected.

"At kung kakailanganin pa, ay patuloy tayong maglalaan ng pondo para sa kasiguruan na may makakain ang bawat pamilyang Manileño," the Mayor said.

There is also a stock in warehouses: 105,600 canned goods, 81,600 bottled water, and 6,600 packs of three-kilogram rice.

"Naglaan din tayo ng karadagang pondo para sa Vitamin C at B Complex upang pagtulong sa pagpapalakas o supplement ng immune system ng ating mga senior citizen na most vulnerable sa sitwasyon natin Nadgayon," he said.

Flag raising activities are cancelled starting on Monday, the 15 of March 2020. however, Moreno said, the Philippine flag will always be raised.

A "No visitors policy" is also in place in detention cells for 30 days.

Partnerships were also forged with the religious leaders within the city for the implementation of the social distancing policy, Moreno said he talked to the leaders of the Christian sector, Baptist sector, Muslim, and Catholic church.

Tourism events were also postponed, until further notice, these are: Sarang'Gora Na (March 21, 2020), Viva Manila (March 31,2020), Rock N' Roll Manila Marathon (March 31,2020), Senakulo (April 6, 2020), Summer Pride March (April 19, 2020).

The city government continues its program of improving the Manila Center for Infectious Disease Control Center as requested and with the guidance of the Department of Health.

A budget of P12.9 million was used to purchase the following: six units of disinfection system worth P4.2 million; 3 units of Air Purification Machine worth P7.5 million have been approved; 196 bottles of disinfection solution worth P1.2 million.

Meanwhile, misting operations or "Oplan Wisik" continue in schools, health centers, public markets, streets, churches and at the city hall.

There are two Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) at the Intensive Care Unit of the Sta. Ana Hospital, a couple who are from Sta. Mesa aged 53 and 50 years old who were confined last March 11, 2020.

There are also two 2 PUIs at the mobile clinic of the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, they are seamen aged 35 and 41, both are from Cebu who docked in Manila last March 7, 2020.

There is one COVID-19 positive patient in Manila, who was confined in a private hospital outside the city. Two of the patient's relatives were classified as PUIs and were confined in a private hospital in Manila.

As pf 9:22 p.m. they were cleared and discharged after they tested negative for COVID-19.

The Manila Emergency Operations Center numbers that the people can call are: 8527-5174/0961-062-7013

"Importateng pangalagaan natin ang ating kalusugan at maging positibo. Laging maging malinis or proper personal hygiene at umiwas o social distancing ang ating gawin," he added.

Watch the full video announcement here:

This article is written up in support to spread awareness for COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.