Cimatu eyes lockdown of certain areas in Cebu amid ECQ

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu is planning to place some areas in Cebu City under lockdown amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat.

According to Lou-Anne Mae Rondina's report on "24 Oras," Cimatu, who was tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to be the COVID-19 overseer for Central Visayas, arrived in the city on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the chief implementer of the national plan against the virus.

Cimatu said they will not yet implement changes in the city as they first need to assess the situation on the ground.

However, they will implement a gradual lockdown on selected areas starting Wednesday, if necessary. One of the areas the authorities will check is Barangay Mambaling, which has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

"If really, hindi na natin talaga ma-contain ng husto 'yon, we have to further lock down doon sa lugar na 'yan. Meaning, it is a lockdown within an ECQ," Cimatu said.

"Parang ano lang muna doon, ma-emphasize the gravity of the ano, para mai-stop ba 'yung bleeding doon. And I was told that the Mambaling is the highest," he added.

The officials will also check hospitals, quarantine facilities, and testing facilities.

"'Yung mga hindi sumusunod, ito ngayon 'yun. 'Yung mga sinasabi natin na kailangan pag-sabihan na they have to comply with the protocol, that they have to comply, really, with the regulation na bina-ban ng IATF," Cimatu said.

"Kasi ginagawa naman ito...for the benefit," he added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News