Galvez cites Baguio City, Davao, Caraga as good role models in COVID-19 efforts

National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday cited Baguio City, Davao, and the Caraga Region as being good role models when it comes to efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Galvez stressed that cooperation among the police, military, civil service organizations, and local government units is necessary in order to "flatten the curve" and rid communities of the novel coronavirus.

He cited Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as practicing good leadership in responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

"Talagang nakita natin sa ngayon na COVID-free pa rin ang Baguio City," he said. "[Sa Davao naman], inobserbahan ko talaga 'yung sa limang araw, dalawang araw ang zero death, dalawang araw ang no new cases. At malaki ang ating progress sa recovery—48 na ang nagre-recover natin sa Davao."

Baguio has had no new COVID-19 case for 13 straight days, but a new case was confirmed Friday.

Meanwhile, as of Saturday afternoon, Davao City had 74 COVID-19 cases, of whom 41 recovered while 14 died, the Department of Health - Davao Region said.

Galvez also mentioned the Caraga region, which he said still has no case of COVID-19.

"Nakita natin 'yung mga lugar na talagang sila ay naghigpit at talagang no entry sa mga borders nila. Nakita natin na talagang maganda ang pamamalakad," he said.

"So maganda talagang ehemplo itong Baguio City, itong Davao, at itong Caraga," he added.

Galvez said that the ongoing enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon reaped benefits, saying that it was able to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

However, he pointed out that some people still do not follow guidelines and continue to roam around, which he finds "very alarming."

"So ang gagawin natin talaga, paiigtingin ang quarantine. Nanawagan din si Sec. [Eduardo] Año sa mga LGUs na talagang ipatupad at hindi masayang 'yung tatlong linggo nating pagtitiis sa quarantine," he said.

"Nananawagan kami sa ating mga kababayan na sana ay huwag tayong pasaway dahil buhay ang [nakasalalay] dito pati buhay ng pamilya niyo at buhay ng ating mga kababayan," he added.

As of Saturday, there are a total of 4,428 reported cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 247 deaths and 157 recoveries. 

The enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is in effect until April 30.

Local government units in Visayas and Mindanao have implemented their own quarantine measures, with Aklan, Bohol, Iligan City and Negros Occidental also extending their quarantine period up to April 30. —KG, GMA News