Capas residents lament New Clark City quarantine for cruise ship repatriates

Residents in Capas, Tarlac on Friday lamented the second batch of repatriated Filipinos who will be quarantined at the New Clark City (NCC) this Sunday due to the coronavirus disease 2019.

Lamberto Dayrit, a resident of Sitio Kamatis, reiterated the local government's initial statement that only one batch of repatriated Filipinos will be accepted at the NCC.

"Sabi nila, ito na ang una at huli na darating na may virus dito sa lugar natin," Dayrit said in JP Soriano's Friday report on 24 Oras.

The first batch to be quarantined were Filipinos repatriated from coronavirus-hit Wuhan and Hubei Province in China.

Another resident said that his livelihood had been affected by the quarantine.

"Wala na akong hanap-buhay, eh! Mayroon namang tinatawag na Scarborough Island, diba? Bakit hindi nila doon dalhin? Natatakot yung tao. Sino pa ba'ng magre-rent diyan?" Rufu Cabigting said.

Sitio Kamatis is the area nearest the NCC.

To assuage the fears of the residents, the local government of Capas has set up an emergency health response team tent in Sitio Kamatis.

"Unang-unang sinasabi namin, 'yung mga nasa NCC po na dinadala na kababayan natin, hindi po sila infected. Ino-obserbahan sila," Dr. Benjie De Leon said.

Though some were against the quarantine, others were accepting.

"Okay lang po naman kasi po wala naman po positive, eh. Wala naman po'ng nahahawa dito," Hazel Rigor, a resident, said.

Though he had agreed for NCC to be used as an area of quarantine, the mayor of Capas called for the establishment of a permanent quarantine area.

"We are just requesting the Department of Health to establish a permanent quarantine area. Kasi hindi natin alam, ito ba ngayon lang? May susunod na taon?" Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan said.

Meanwhile, the quarantine of the first batch is nearly over.

"All the quarantined individuals have not shown any signs and symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat during their 14-day stay. They will not be allowed to go back to their respective homes and places," Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Once the first batch has left, authorities will clean and sanitize the whole Athlete's Village in preparation for the second batch who is expected to arrive on Sunday.

More than 400 Filipino seafarers are expected. —Joahna Lei Casilao/NB, GMA News