INSTEAD of resorting to overbuying, think about others.
This was the appeal of Councilor George Goking and City Price Coordinating Council chair Jose Edgardo Uy to the public amid reports of panic buying in the city.
The councilor, who chairs the City Council committee on trade and commerce, on Monday called for a meeting with the CPCC, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), J.R Borja General Hospital (JRBGH), distributors and retailers to discuss the continued availability of food, medicines, and basic commodities as the country faces a national health emergency.
During the meeting, Uy appealed to consumers to maintain the usual purchases needed by their household and not to buy daily necessities in excess.
He said this practice deprives others who also need food, supplies, and protection.
“If people hoard alcohol, others are deprived of using a disinfectant,” he cited.
Goking called on retailers to ensure that they have enough stock for food, medicines, and supplies to cater to the needs of the public.
The price freeze is well implemented by the City Price Coordinating Council and the Department of Trade and Industry, but the supplies are the problem, he said.
“Price freeze is in effect, but what is there to freeze when there is no stock?” he cited.
Councilor Goking, with the CPCC and the DTI, will be going around to check on the availability of goods and compliance of retailers regarding prices of necessities and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane stated: “From where we stand, now is the time for unity and courage. Let us unite behind our leaders.”
Gaane, chair of the City Council committee on health and sanitation and health insurance, as she reiterated Mayor Oscar Moreno’s call for solidarity and cooperation with the city government in facing the Covid-19 threat.
To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, Councilor Gaane said Mayor Moreno has initiated steps such as the conduct of mass disinfection of the city’s public structures (City Hall, churches, and mosques) to avoid the spread of the virus.
Moreno has ordered the temporary closure of malls, except groceries, pharmacies, and restaurants. Also, all night markets at the Cogon, Bulua, Carmen, and Puerto public markets have been temporarily closed effective March 17, until further notice.
The Covid-19 Task Force was also created to monitor the entry of travelers to Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro. The mayor, together with the Department of Health (DOH), has conducted and will continue to conduct a daily press conference to update the public, Gaane reported.
She said the COVID-19 Task Force provides a 24/7 hotline number (0975-841-3299) for the public’s easy access.
Gaane also reported that the City Health Office-Health Emergency Medical Services continues to act on reports coming from the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (Bhert), whose role is to assist controlling further community transmission in the barangays.
“As a community, we sink or swim together in this instance. As public servants, let us, therefore, perform our assigned tasks despite the risks involved,” Gaane said. “Duty calls and someone’s got to do it.”
Gaane also hailed the health workers, men in uniform, coast guard, bureau of quarantine, street sweepers, public servants who are the front liners to eradicate Covid-19.
“You deserve more than free breakfast being provided … you are all our heroes,” she stressed. (SP)
