Cebu City Hall | CDN file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has ordered the frequent disinfection of offices at City Hall following reports of at least three coronavirus disease cases that were traced at the government facility.
Labella said that the mother of one of his staff at the Office of the Mayor recently died from COVID-19, raising concerns on the safety of the employees.
The mayor has been working from home for a month now because of the advise of his doctors after he was treated for his ear infection.
“Senior citizen naman gud ta nya I am really immunocompromised. Unya daghan reports of cases sa City Hall. I just have to be careful nga dili lang ko mogawas kaayo,” said Labella in a phone interview with CDN Digital.
(I am already a senior citizen and immunocompromised. Also, there have been reports on cases of the infection at City Hall. I just have to be careful that is why I refrain from going out.)
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) already said that there is nothing wrong if Labella would opt to work from home considering his age and if this is a means to protect himself from COVID-19.
What is important is that he is still able to direct government operations while working from home, the DLIG said.
READ: DILG: Labella can work from home
But Labella still finds time to travel to City Hall for brief visits.
On Friday morning, February 26, he made a quick visit at City hall to personally relay some instructions to City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr.
Mayor Edgardo Labella dropped by City Hall for a quick visit on Friday, Feb. 26. | Photo courtesy of Floro Casas Jr.
This includes the need to constantly disinfect City Hall offices to ensure the safety of government employees and the transacting public.
“As a matter of fact I have instructions nga every afternoon magdisinfect gyod sila all the departments,” said the mayor.
Constant disinfection, Labella said, is expected to get rid of viruses that may have been left behind by asymptomatic individuals.
Labella also left a reminder for all City Hall employees to strictly comply with health protocols such as wearing face masks and face shields and the need to always observe social distancing. / dcb