Mayor Roderick Alcala (in stripes), seated center, holds a meeting with local IATF prior to the issuance of executive order on the implementation of MECQ. Photo by GEMI FORMARAN
Lucena placed under MECQ
LUCENA CITY — This city has been placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status effective Wednesday until June 30, following the announcement of President Rodrigo Duterte while Modified General Community Quarrantine (MGCQ) remains in effect in Quezon province.
In compliance with the directive, City Mayor Roderick Alcala after holding a dialogue and consultation with the local IATF and representatives of different sectors, issued an executive order establishing and imposing guidelines on the implementation of MECQ.
Alcala has opted not to implement the requirement of securing an RT-PCR Test or Antigen Test for anyone who wants to gain entry in the city as previously recommended by the local IATF.
The mayor believes that it would be a great burden on the part of those who will be affected in terms of financial aspect especially amid the pandemic.
At the moment, this city with a population of less than 300,000 has only 274 active COVID-19 cases.
However, police checkpoints have been established in all entry points of the city to ensure that only Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR) and essential workers will be allowed to enter the city.
City police chief, Lt. Col. Romulo Albacea in an interview asked the public to cooperate as he warned that they will strictly impose the order especially for those in other places who will be entering the city.
As how this city from MGCQ was abruptly placed under MECQ, some observers believe that something wrong had happened in the process considering that it has a very small number of positive COVID- 19 cases as compared to other cities under MECQ with thousands of positive cases.
