Baguio hailed as model city in fighting COVID-19

Baguio City was lauded as a model local government unit for managing to keep its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases low.

Retired General Restituto Padilla, the spokesman of the National Task Force COVID-19, on Wednesday hailed Mayor Benjamin Magalong after the local government reported no new COVID-19 cases in 10 days.

“Tatlo po ang direksyon na kaniyang tinatahak: una, transparency and communication; pangalawa, mas testing; at ang pangatlo, effective contact tracing,” he said.

Magalong earlier said they were able to keep their COVID-19 cases at only 14 because of their sense of urgency and preparedness. 

The local government immediately suspended the city's annual Panagbenga Festival and other mass gatherings in anticipation of the effects of the new coronavirus.

The Baguio City government also announced that it will reopen a dormant hospital within two weeks for COVID-19 patients. 

“Lahat po ito ay sang-ayon sa ating national action plan template na sana ay… maintindihan at magawa ng lahat ng ating mga LGUs sa iba’t ibang panig ng [bansa],” Padilla said.

Nationwide, COVID-19 has claimed 182 lives and infected over 3,000 people. —LDF, GMA News