‘WE WILL MANAGE, ADDRESS RISKS’

THE city government of Cagayan de Oro has recorded a total of 2,279 new arrivals since commercial flights resumed its operations.

City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Lorraine Nery said of the 2,279 individuals, 1,270 have already completed their quarantine while 974 individuals are still undergoing the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

Meanwhile, some 239 are on home quarantine.

Also, 735 individuals are currently staying at the City Isolation Units. Nery said after reaching a 5-day stay at the CIU, the individual will under rapid diagnostic test.

Meanwhile City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the city cannot turn away returning individuals, recognizing that they have the right to go home.

Moreno made the statement after returning individuals make up almost half of the total 56 COVID-19 cases in the region. Of the 56 total cases, 23 are locally stranded individuals or new arrivals.

“Kining mga LSI naay katungod muuli sa ilang lungsod, muuli sa ilang balay. Kanang OFWs, magdapog pud na sila didto sa Manila and we will be exposing them to greater risks,” Moreno said.

Instead of complaining, Moreno said local government units need to level up to “handle, manage, and address the risks” that come with accepting stranded persons.

“We know that when there are more arrivals, there are risks that we face

pero basta maatiman lang, dili angay kabalak-an,” he added.

Some LSIs are currently staying at a university here while they waiting to be transported to their respective local government units.