Mandaluyong to implement surname-coding scheme for shoppers

The Mandaluyong City government will begin implementing a surname-based schedule for residents to shop for supplies to ensure social distancing measures are followed amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.

According to Emil Sumangil's Thursday report on 24 Oras, residents whose surnames start from A to L will be scheduled to shop on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Individuals whose surnames start with the letters from M to Z may shop on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

On Mondays, all shops will be closed for sanitation procedures.

"Ang hirap kasi i-control ng mga tao lalo ngayong na nagkaroon sila ng amelioration, siyempre this is the time na lalabas sila, mamamalengke. Three times na silang puwedeng lumabas," Mayor Menchi Abalos said.

Most of the residents interviewed by GMA News reportedly approved of the scheme as the city has recorded 217 COVID-19 cases, including 26 fatalities and 27 recoveries.

"Okay lang po kasi para mas maiwasan 'yung mas maraming tao lumalabas sabay-sabay. Medyo may oras din ho kasi na maraming tao, eh," a resident said.

"Para sa social distancing narin, para iwas na rin sa hawaan," another resident said.

One, however, expressed her disapproval.

"Kagaya sa lugar namin, ang daming mga tao—trese ka pamilya kami, sarili ko 'yung bahay. Isa lang ang bibigyan nila ng I.D. authorized para makalabas," she said.

"Eh paano naman po kaming hindi puwedeng makalabas? Kawawa naman kami para makabili ng pagkain," she added.

The report also showed flocks of people in the Kalentong area earlier

"'Yung iba talaga matigas din 'yung ulo, labas ng labas kahit wala namang bibilin. Parang namamasyal lang na akala mo'y hindi siya puwedeng magkasakit," Abalos said.

"[K]aya ito 'pag wala silang bibilhin na importante, pinasisita na namin 'yan sa pulis namin," she added.

The same situation was reported along N. Domingo, the center of commerce in San Juan City.

"Mahigpit po ang aking instructions sa San Juan police na siguraduhin na sinusunod ng lahat ang enhanced community quarantine. Kung kailangan manghuli talagang nanghuhuli sila," San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said.

San Juan has recorded 170 confirmed cases, including 31 fatalities and 36 recoveries.

"Lumagpas na po ang bilang ng recovered versus doon sa mga pumanaw kaya ito'y positibo para sa ating lungsod sapagkat nakita natin 'yung trend mula nung nag simula 'yung COVID-19 dito sa San Juan hanggang ngayon ay onti-onti nang bumababa ang bilang ng nagiging positive natin sa araw-araw," he said.

Zamora said that they are hoping to begin their own mass testing next week.

"Yung 96,000 test kits na available, hahati-hatiin sa 17 LGUS yan. Kung ilang ang mapupunta sa San Juan iintayin ko pa," the mayor said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News