The City of Manila will adopt shorter curfew hours for the remaining months of 2020, from midnight to 4 am until November 30 and 12 am to 3 am starting December 1, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced on Monday.
Domagoso signed Ordinance No. 8692 adopting the shorter curfew hours ahead of the holiday season. He was joined by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and City Council Majority Floor Leader Joel Chua during the signing.
Curfew hours were eased based on “approved proposals of the Economic Development Cluster on the gradual expansion of business operations to stimulate and sustain economic gains,” the Mayor said.
“Despite the gradual relaxation of curfew hours, quarantine and social distancing protocols within the City of Manila will remain to be enforced in accordance with IATF guidelines,” he added.
Minors, however, are still not covered by shortened curfew hours. The Mayor said they are still subjected to Ordinance No. 8547, which establishes “protection and discipline hours” for minors from 10 pm to 4 am.
The ordinance takes effect immediately after its approval. It was signed after Domagoso issued Executive Order No. 41 which increases the authorized seating capacity of religious gatherings in churches, mosques and chapels from 10% to 30%.
Meanwhile, Domagoso announced that 172 barangays in the City of Manila remain COVID-free since September 1.
“Nananatili pong zero ang COVID infections sa 172 na barangays sa lungsod, sana po ay ma-maintain nila ito sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan nila sa mga alituntuning ipinapatupad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod,” he said.
Domagoso announced last August 31 that the local government will award P100,000 to any barangay with zero new COVID-19 infection until the end of October.
For his part, Manila City Health Officer Dr. Arnold “Poks” Pangan reminded Manileños to remain vigilant as the COVID-19 virus continues to infect people inside and outside Manila, aside from aspiring to get the P100,000 cash incentive.
“Hindi po tayo dapat maging kampante. Mahalaga po na mapanatili natin ang disiplina sa ating mga sarili. Ugaliin pa rin ang paghuhugas ng kamay, pagsusuot ng mask at pag-papractice ng social distancing. Tulong-tulong po tayo sa pagsugpo sa COVID-19,” Pangan said.
Manila Barangay Bureau (MBB) Chief Romy Bagay also emphasized the importance of the city’s continuous efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 through its consistent policies.
“Tuloy tuloy lang tayo sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa at panuntunan upang epektibo nating maiwasan ang paglaganap ng COVID-19 sa ating mga barangay, kabilang dito ang mga ordinansa mula sa Pamahalaang Lungsod,” he said.
The department has provided assistance to the city government’s mass testing and contact tracing efforts while it also led the enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines set by both the national and local government to the city’s communities across its six districts.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Manila continue to intensify its COVID-19 response by conducting mass testing, improving its healthcare facilities, providing support to the medical frontliners and making sure contact tracing is done effectively.
In another development, 16 homeless persons and street dwellers have been rescued during a series of reach-out operations by the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) last October 18.
The operations were carried out along TM Kalaw, Taft Avenue, Leon Guinto, Remedios Circle, San Andres and in the vicinity of the Manila City Hall.
They were immediately transferred to the city’s rescue facilities as MDSW staff and volunteers continued to provide them with food and medical assistance.
Aside from this, the Manila Sports Council (MASCO) and the Manila City Library also hold free film viewing and storytelling sessions enjoyed by the rescued individuals.
MDSW Director Re Fugoso said they regularly hold reach-out operations in accordance with Mayor Domagoso’s plan to protect homeless persons and street dwellers from the COVID-19 pandemic.