This Week in Cebu and Bohol (March 28 to April 3, 2021)

To ensure that health protocols are followed, Mandaue City Police Office identified “discipline zones” in specified areas in barangays. According to Police Major Zosimo Jabas, chief of the Operation and Management Unit of MCPO, these zones are areas where people are usually seen violating quarantine health and safety protocols [1].

The “discipline zones” in Mandaue are as follows: the flyover area in Barangay Maguikay, near Gaisano Capital in Barangay Casuntingan, all satellite markets in the barangays. Ordinances and executive orders issued by the government will be strictly enforced in the discipline zones, and they shall be guarded by police officers. Jabas added that barangay officials have been required to submit a resolution which will be used to identify the zones where police will deploy their personnel [1].

After disapproving the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish-Don Bosco Youth Center in Barangay Punta Princesa as a vaccination site, the city government of Cebu is looking for another site for its immunization program. The unapproved site lacks ventilation, facilities, and is considered hostile to persons with disabilities, according to Vice Mayor Michael Rama.

As another option, Councilor David Tumalak said that the local government is also eyeing to conduct the vaccination program in malls. Although several mall owners have already offered their properties, these sites must meet standards such as accessibility to traffic, ample space, water supply, and more [2].

In the province of Bohol, about 13,000 medical workers have already received immunization against the virus as of March 24. These health workers are from public and private hospitals, rural health units, and barangay health centers. The inoculation of the medical frontliners ended last Friday, while the vaccination of the next priority sector—senior citizens—will start soon, according to Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Yul Lopez [3].

The annual religious-cultural event by Minglanillia town in Cebu will push through via online live streaming to avoid mass gatherings amid the pandemic. An official announcement was made by Mayor Elanito Peña last March 22, encouraging the residents to watch the Sugat Kabanhawan Festival on April 4 at their respective homes. The event will be held at the town’s sports complex and will only be limited to dancers, hosts, local government officials, directors, and other essential staff [5].

The traditional Holy Week masses of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Tagbilaran City will be altered due to the ongoing pandemic in the country, according to the Diocese of Tagbilaran Chancellor Algerio Paña. Instead of nine churchgoers in each church’s pews, only three people will be allowed to take a seat. There will also be a one-entrance, one-exit police to control the crowd, Paña added. The diocese also encouraged the churchgoers to attend online masses instead of coming to church [5]. And instead of the traditional procession, a motorcade will be held. Visita Iglesia will also be prohibited.

Whether you’re looking for more information about churches near Cebu or need more updates on churches near Bohol, you can visit Yoorekka for the latest news.