Healing, hailing

THE deadly coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) with Omicron variant and sub-variants is threatening the world anew. In the Philippines, two weeks ago experts from the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against a possible “new wave” of COVID-19 surge after the May 9 elections.

This, as DOH execs lament that public compliance to health protocols like social distancing and wearing of facemask continues to dip.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Bing Leonardia and Vice Mayor and El Cid Familiaran ( the local chief of Inter-Agency Task Force) also keep on reminding Bacolodnons not to be complacent.

Though Bacolod remains under Alert Level 1 (AL 1) from May 1-15, 2022, Bing and El Cid aren’t confident still as to the “final hurdle” against COVID-19.

As of May 2, the city’s COVID-19 Watch recorded one new active case, two new recoveries and zero death.

Also, latest report from DOHRegional Office 6 (Case Bulletin #766) showed that with the total 27,220 COVID- 19 cases in Bacolod since then, only 61 remain as active while the 27,043 other cases have already recovered.

BEYOND BLESSED

Bing, on the other hand, proudly stressed that Bacolod is among the “class valedictorians” or “first honors” in the entire country in terms of managing COVID-19.

“If we are in school, there’s no doubt that Bacolod is the class valedictorian or one of the first honors awardees simply because we belong to the first batch of 39 local government units ( LGUs) out of more than 2,000 in the entire Philippines to be placed under AL 1 by the IATF,” the mayor underscored.

For El Cid, the current trend or daily report on COVID-19 cases connotes the “healing” moment.

Too, he believes that an AL 1 status is the “new normal” in Bacolod.

“We need to embrace this reality and, at the same time, we also have to move on,” he said.

On the other hand, El Cid told Bacolodnons to remain conscious and cautious about COVID -19.

He stressed that COVID-19 (really) cast both valuable and even craziest lessons “for us to ponder from time to time.”

Thus, concedes him, surmounting this health pandemic with the total of 850 mortalities in the city alone, per the DOH -6, is truly providential.

“Hence, we’re beyond blessed,” El Cid informed Bacolodnons.

‘TEST OF CHARACTER’

In particular, however, El Cid confided that amidst this health ruckus, COVID- 19 is also a sort of “test of character” of a true leader.

At the height of border restrictions, l ockdowns, quarantines, f ood rationing, etc., he related that there were moments he’s about to “blow his lid”.

Too, there were instances that he really wanted to show his “angst and fangs”.

“But I was so thankful that I was able to manage / suppress my temper at the height of the brouhaha,” El Cid noted. “It ( COVID- 19) really tested my might and, at the same time, my patience and sense of leadership visà-vis’.”

Furthermore, El Cid voiced, “I realized that moment like this, a collective or team effort matters still… And ‘ twas the greatest lesson I’ve learned out of this health pandemic.”

BEST WEAPON

But when one of his “apos” caught COVID-19, El Cid confessed, “I am about to give up.”

“I didn’t know what to do. I was torn between my tasks as local chief of IATF and my family,” he said.

But he reflected, meditated and even asked himself: why?

And with the support of Bing and the rest of the city dads, he courageously

weathered the “storm” of COVID-19 sans qualms.

Hence, attaining AL 1 status is just like “heaven” for El Cid. Really, AL 1 is meant for everyone, he underscored.

In response, Bing publicly uttered: “Thanks to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and former councilor and city administrator Em Legaspi-Ang, executive director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)-Task Force, and Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC deputy.”

Bing also cited the hard work of El Cid, EOC volunteers and vaccinators as well as the cooperation of the city residents and village leaders.

Theirs (hard work), stressed by the mayor, is a key to the city’s triumph in battling COVID-19.

Nevertheless, Bing said, “I cannot over emphasize that the city government has been hitting its targets.”

“That’s why we have to continue our compliance to the minimum health protocols by wearing face mask, observing social distancing, maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding crowded places.”

But asked of the “best weapon”

the city ever had (now) in case there’s another surge of COVID-19 soonest, Bing and El Cid chorused: “Our experience – that’s our best teacher and our best weapon just in case.”

GOAL BEYOND VICTORY

Well, attaining and maintaining the AL 1 status since February to date is somehow a goal beyond victory. Thus, El Cid is kinda the “Most Valuable Player” (MVP) in the city’s fight against COVID-19.

What’s notable in him (El Cid) is, the way he moves always leads to “sureness”. Thus, Bing is right in hailing him and the rest of the city’s front liners against COVID-19.

Moreover, it’s good to note that while the Bacolodnons are healing from the “wrath” and “keloid” of COVID-19, the city is also hailing people responsible in veering the city to “near normal” status. Quite astounding! Well, whether we like it or not, AL 1 connotes “freedom is back” for people to move again and say goodbye to ala “robotic” life.

Too, it’s a great manifestation that the city is winning the “war” against COVID-19.

With less restriction(s) now, AL 1 is a feat that made Bacolodnons to rejoice after more than two years of life’s hiatus.

A NEW DAWN Businessmen in the city

likewise praised officials realizing this AL 1.

For Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), it is as if a start of a new dawn for city’s small, medium and even big businesses debilitated by COVID-19.

The city government then offers flexible tax payments for local businesses so to aid them in their immediate recovery.

Meanwhile, El Cid’s “tic-tac-toe” against COVID-19 was tested and proven. To be head of a local IATF is no joke. Weathering public attacks, hate and humiliation summarized his greatest asset as a “no nonsense” leader and public servant. That’s because he never allowed himself to be “ineffectual” amid uncertainties.

Rather, by having a pliant character, no doubt, El Cid alongside other anti-COVID-19 key players really “made it through the rain”. They were nixed and mocked to the max, but El Cid stood his ground, and so they prevailed.

With El Cid as local chief of the IATF still, it is as if the city is in the right trajectory in its battle against any pandemic in the future. And no matter what happens next, the city’s IATF remains as a formidable unit with an acquiescent head, who’s still ready to gamble and rumble./

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