CONGRATULATIONS to Barbie Atienza on his recent induction as member of the board of trustees of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation.

He took his virtual oath before Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, with his wife Ruth Marie Catan Atienza witnessing the event.

So humbled and honored. Thank you for another opportunity to be of service. Thank you all. Thank you Lord. Mayor Isko Moreno, Boss Emil Yap III IA Admin Guiller Asido TPB COO Anthonette Velasco NPDC ED Cecille Lorenzana-Romero. SO HELP ME GOD!” Atienza said.

Congrats Kuyang Barbie and I know you will do great in your new post!

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Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte continues to impress the public, her constituents in particular, due to her constant decisiveness when it comes to violation of health protocols related to the ongoing pandemic.

Her performance when it comes to stemming the transmission of the coronavirus is such that based on recent published surveys, she is certain to get reelected. Once again, she shone when she acted without hesitation against those responsible for awedding reception in Quezon City that became a ‘super spreader’ event.

The occasion was held on May 15 after which 72 guests tested positive for COVID-19.

Mayor Belmonte ensured that appropriate charges were filed against Don Brabante, the homeowner’s association president in Barangay Old Balara. He was the one who reportedly gave permission for the said wedding reception.

According to the lady mayor, interviews done by the city’s contact tracers led to the information that it was Brabante who actually allowed the wedding reception and drinking session attendant to it and that was why she believed he must be held accountable.

Reportedly too, the city government also filed a case against the newlyweds and this was for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act.

Based on initial information gathered by Barangay Old Balara Chairman Allan Franza, days prior to the wedding, on May 9, the bride’s driver joined a drinking spree in Cavite. One of his drinking buddies was positive for the virus.

On May 15, he said the driver drove for the bride not knowing that he, too, had contracted the virus already, thus infecting the bride.

By the way, Franza was also issued a show cause order by the city government. Now, 72 turned out to be positive for COVID-19, from the 255 residents who were swabbed in Area 7, Old Balara, where the said event had taken place.

When this was reported by the Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU), the whole area was ordered locked down.

CESU Chief Dr. Rolando Cruz said that most of their patients are currently admitted in different HOPE facilities while there are others isolated in their homes. Among those who are put under home quarantine are five minors, one pregnant adult, and one senior citizen.

Mayor Belmonte, in a statement, said that “this should serve as a wake-up call for everyone to remain vigilant and wary of COVID-19. The virus is still very much in our environment and we are counting on everyone’s cooperation.”

“We’ve noticed that incidents like this one are increasing. The spread could’ve been prevented but we see that some people, including persons in authority, have started to become lax in the enforcement and practice of minimum health protocols,” Mayor Belmonte added.

This appaling incident plus so many other similar events prompted the issuance on May 31 by the Department of the Interior and Local of a memorandum prohibiting superspreader events like drinking parties,cockfighting activities, fiestas, parades, beauty contests, processions and other religious events, cultural festivals, pool parties and other water recreational activities.

Amid all these and other recent events that broke health protocols, Mayor Belmonte had consistently been tough on violators. Sometimes, it really takes a woman to do a man’s job. Hah!

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Jokjok (from Mark Ryan Alejandro of Fairview, Quezon City) — PEDRO: Pare, sa wakas nag-ka GF na rin ako!/JUAN: Bakit? Ngayon ka lang ba nagka-GF sa tanang buhay mo?/PEDRO: Oo pare eh! Sobrang higpit kasi ni misis eh! Ngayon lang ako nakalusot!

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