Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has revealed the implementation of a COVID-19 Alert system dubbed “Code Red COVID-19 action plan: Contain and Delay”, aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus disease.
In his address to Manila residents on Thursday night, posted on the Manila’s social media account, Domagoso discussed the plan that included a budget for information dissemination, provision for food and water, medicines and purchase of medical equipment to stop the spread of the disease.
Domagoso also set aside a budget for Vitamin C and B Complex for senior citizens, who are the most vulnerable sector to the deadly coronavirus.
The mayor set out a plan as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus diease 2019 (COVID-19), which includes efficient contact tracing if there are individuals found to have contracted the virus 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.
Except for those involved in emergencies such as health and disaster management personnel, Manila City Hall employees will only report for work four days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Domagoso, however, assured that the city government is open 24 hours and seven days a week, with employees assigned in a work shift basis.
Regarding the information dissemination, around 2,000 tarpaulins 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 for 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,” Domagoso said.
There is also a stock in warehouses for food and water— 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 ngayon,” Domagoso said.
Flag raising activities are cancelled starting on Monday. But, Domagoso said, the Philippine flag will still be raised on Monday.
A “No visitors policy” is also in place in detention cells for 30 days.
Domagoso also said he talked to the leaders of the Christian sector, Baptist sector, Muslim, and Catholic Church to implement the partnerships with the religious leaders within the city for the implementation of the social distancing policy.
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 Manila City government said they continue their program of improving the Manila Center for Infectious Disease Control Center as requested and with the guidance of the Department of Health.
The city government said 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.
According to the Manila City Hall, misting operations or “Oplan Wisik” will continue in schools, health centers, public markets, streets, churches and at the city hall./Stacy Ang
