Easier said than done

Uriel C. Quilinguing 

THERE are those who, for the past days, have been pushing for total lockdown in Cagayan de Oro. They have something in common, they think they know better than the city mayor and those who are with him in the inter-agency task force against coronavirus disease (Covid), aside from the fear of getting infected and eventual death. 

If Cagayan de Oro is in a lockdown, the first person to vehemently protest should be Misamis Oriental Gov. Bambi Emano. And, if enforced outright, thousands of the city’s floating population of more than half million, composed of students, workers, traders, and plain travelers, would be either be trapped or stranded. 

By definition, a lockdown is an emergency measure or condition in which people are temporarily prevented from entering or leaving a restricted area during a threat of danger.

Over time, local government officials from nearby municipalities, cities, and provinces may be compelled to intercede on behalf of critical patients who urgently need specialized medical attention at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center or in other private hospitals. 

They may appeal on behalf of their farmers whose produce must reach the markets to avoid huge losses. They, too, may have personal and official transactions with regional government agencies in Cagayan de Oro that require their presence.    

Also, there are local officials from Bukidnon, particularly those from Malitbog town, who may need special passes since it is physically impossible for them to report to their provincial government in Malaybalay, without passing through Cagayan de Oro.              

Being the chief executive, Gov. Emano is presumed to be a resident of the province, particularly in Tagoloan, the first town from Cagayan de Oro on the eastern side of the province. His office, however, is at the Capitol which is in the city’s urban area, hence under a lockdown situation, usually, for 30 days, he would be restrained entrance for the duration.

Of the more than 3,000 provincial government employees, about half of which are Misamis Oriental residents and they, too, cannot just easily get through the checkpoints which, under the worst scenario, would be manned by composite military and police personnel. And many employees of regional government agencies are non-city residents as well.  

Geographically, if Cagayan de Oro is locked down, there would be two Misamis Oriental provinces, that of the eastern side which starts from Tagoloan to Magsaysay and the other that of western side from Opol to Lugait. How can local officials from Misamis Oriental report to the Capitol?

Even worse if, aside from Cagayan de Oro, the cities of El Salvador and Gingoog would also be under locked down situations since, by then, Misamis Oriental province would be chopped into four parts.

Unwittingly, some want a city lockdown and yet they are provincial residents. An example is a resident of Sta. Ana, Tagoloan, who regularly goes to Cagayan de Oro to work and who, under a lockdown, would be prevented entry at a bridge that borders Tagoloan town and Barangay Bugo. Another one is a resident of Barra, Opol town whose movement would be restrained at Iponan bridge and he would not even be allowed to cross the highway, the other side already part of Cagayan de Oro.       

Four days ago, Mayor Oscar Moreno issued Executive Order No. 048-2020 for the implementation of extraordinary measures to control and limit exposures to the new coronavirus which include closures of business establishments engaged in the sale of non-essential goods and services, suspension of street markets, and imposition of a curfew.      

Such order was short of the national government’s concept of community quarantine and the enhanced community quarantine, much more of what lockdown really is, yet such could be the option which, in the long run, maybe best for most people—both city and non-residents. 

Those who are for a lockdown should be thankful they can still travel beyond the bridges and be in Cagayan de Oro, even if they are outsiders. They should realize and be grateful for what they have become because of the opportunities they have been fortunate to enjoy, even if they are non-residents. Lockdown is easier said than done. 

(Uriel C. Quilinguing is a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club who had been editor in chief of Cagayan de Oro-based newspapers, including this paper. For almost a decade, he led the Media Health Advocates Group in Northern Mindanao. For reactions, email them to uriel.quilinguing@yahoo.com.)