Police officers reprimand a group of residents who were caught biking past curfew hours. CDN Digital photo | Gerard Francisco
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Adjusting the curfew hours from the current 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. to a longer 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. stretch will need further consultations from various sectors.
This was the statement of Mayor Edgardo Labella on the request of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to increase the curfew hours amid the rising cases of the COVID-19.
The CCPO has noticed that many people have been violating the curfew recently causing the rise of the cases.
Labella said that he will consult the Cebu City Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCCI) regarding the matter because many businesses may be affected by this change.
“What is also important is to seriously consider the economic dimension of the city. Before I make that decision, I still have to talk with the chamber of commerce because in the first place, they were the ones very vocal for the curfew to be adjusted.
As for the CCCCI, the business organization will abide by whatever decision the city government will come up with in relation to the curfew hours.
CCCCI president, Felix Taguiam, told CDN Digital in a text message that the business sector is also very much concerned with the rising cases.
“Though businesses are still ramping up, which is badly needed now, everyone’s health concern is a priority. We would like to let everyone know that we were able to fight (the virus) and have seen the lowering of cases from August to December 2020. Let’s not all forget the hardships we have done. Presently we can see many people in the streets not doing the minimum health requirements, and we cannot blame the LGUs for why they are strict. This is for the benefit of all. Let’s all help each other,” said Taguiam in a text message.
The CCCCI together with Mandaue City Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCCI), Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Association in Cebu (HRRAC), Cebu Chinese-Filipino Chamber of Commerce (CCFCC), and the Philippine Retailers Association Cebu Chapter, recently released a joint statement urging the Cebuanos to be more compliant with health protocols.
These organizations comprise the Project Balik Buhay program that aims to speed up economic recovery while Cebu continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
In their statement, the groups appeal to the public to be more vigilant and observe the health protocols to reduce the number of new cases in the metro.
As the Chinese Lunar Year and Valentines Day approaches, the group urged the Cebuanos to avoid private gatherings and parties, to always wear their masks and face shields, and maintain social distancing at all times.
The business sector said that the economy is already gaining momentum and the public’s cooperation is needed for it to fully move forward again. /rcg