Lapu-Lapu City uses coffins, funeral cars to remind public that COVID-19 could kill

The local government of Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province has used funeral cars as well as coffins to remind residents of the danger brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan, who is a COVID-19 survivor, said this measure aims to tell his constituents that the disease could claim people's lives.

"Ngayon ginagamitan na natin, 'yung bago 'yung mga kabaong natin... nilagay natin sa mga checkpoints... Mayroon tayong funeral cars, umiikot 'yun sa mga barangay, 'yung mga purok pupunta sila. Doon mag-standby 'yung mga funeral cars sa kanila..." Chan said.

"Nasa tao 'yan eh, pag nakita mo kabaong o funeral car, isipin mo may namatay... 'yung mensahe natin 'yung COVID, makamatay 'yun," he added.

Chan said the funeral cars would be playing funeral songs too. It would also bear reminders that a person died of COVID-19 because he or she was not wearing a face mask or not staying at home. 

Chan noted that the number of COVID-19 infections in the city has been increasing in the previous days.

So far, Lapu-Lapu City has over 800 positive cases.

"Nakita natin for the past weeks, naka double cases tayo eh. Noong una 'yung mga cases natin, one o five, ngayon 'yung cases natin umaabot ng 20, 30... parang increasing everyday 'yung cases natin," he said.—AOL, GMA News