Biyahe sa Baguio, lilimitahan

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | July 31, 2021

Pansamantalang ipinagbawal ang “non-essential travels” sa Baguio City nang isang linggo simula ngayong Sabado dahil sa banta ng COVID-19 Delta variant.

Isinailalim sa general community quarantine (GCQ) ang Baguio City ngunit saad ng lokal na pamahalaan, “But as early as now, we must take the initiative to enhance our COVID-19 management strategy to preempt, if not minimize, this new health threat to our community.”

Samantala, paalala naman ni City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, maaaring mabago ang naturang advisory base sa magiging desisyon ng Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Saad pa ni Magalong, “I appeal for patience and cooperation from the public for this sudden change in policy as this is the appropriate action that is necessary for the situation at hand.”

Nanawagan din si Magalong sa mga residente ng Baguio City na limitahan lamang ang pagbiyahe.

Aniya pa, “Should there be instances where travel outside is absolutely necessary, let us always practice minimum public health protocols at all times, in consideration of our family members and loved ones waiting for us at home.”

Baguio City Mayor Magalong, positibo sa COVID 19

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | April 4, 2021

Positibo sa COVID-19 ang Baguio City mayor at contact tracing czar na si Benjamin Magalong, ayon sa kanyang Facebook post noong Sabado.

Saad ni Magalong, “It is with a sad note that I would like to inform everyone that as of my RT-PCR test conducted yesterday morning (April 2, 2021), to which my results came out at 4:30pm of the same day, I was tested positive of the Covid-19 virus.” Aniya ay nagsasagawa na rin ng contact tracing para sa mga nakahalubilo niya.

Pahayag pa ni Magalong, “Contact tracing efforts are underway for those whom I have come into close contact with. I also strongly advise everybody to observe the minimum health standards.”

Dagdag pa ni Magalong, “Indeed, this news came out as a devastating blow for me and my family. The seriousness of this pandemic is something that we should not take for granted. It is a difficult situation and I don’t want anyone of you to be in this condition as it is emotionally, psychologically and financially difficult for our loved ones to bear.

“However, despite the predicament I am in, please be rest assured that we are still monitoring closely the City’s situation and coordinating to the proper authorities the necessary things to be done.”

Samantala, nanawagan din si Magalong sa publiko na sumunod sa mga ipinatutupad na health protocols ngayong panahon ng pandemya.

Napahiya sa nangyari... Magalong, nag-resign bilang contact tracing czar, 'di tinanggap ng M'cañang

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | January 29, 2021

Nais nang magbitiw sa puwesto ni Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong bilang COVID-19 contact-tracing czar matapos dumalo sa kontrobersiyal na event kung saan nalabag diumano ang mga ipinapatupad na health protocols.

Kinumpirma ni Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque na nagpasa na ng resignation si Magalong ngunit hindi tinanggap ng Malacañang. Saad ni Roque, “We confirm that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong tendered his resignation as the government’s tracing czar.

“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19.”

Sa isinumiteng resignation letter ni Magalong kay Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr., chief implementer ng NTF Against COVID-19, inamin niyang sa kinasangkutan niyang isyu, may mga hindi talaga nasunod sa protocol.

Aniya, bilang senior ng task force, "I should have done an immediate spot correction of the errors that I witnessed during that time. Much as I have given my best to discharge my duties for the Task Force, this incident has been a reminder that a higher standard is always expected of me...

"This is to formally tender my resignation as Contact Tracing Czar, Lead Implementer for Contact Tracing in the National Task Force for Coronavirus Disease 2019.”

Matatandaang sa isang radio interview, inamin ni Magalong na may mga dumalo sa naturang event na nagtanggal ng face mask para makapag-picture taking. Ito ay idinaos sa Camp John Hay Manor, Baguio kung saan si Tim Yap ang host. Saad pa ni Magalong,

"Maybe because of the excitement, they took off their masks and took pictures.” Isa rin si Yap sa mga nakatanggap ng pambabatikos matapos kumalat sa social media ang mga larawang kuha sa naturang event kung saan makikitang hindi rin nasunod ang physical distancing.

Depensa naman ni Yap, hindi party ang naturang event kundi “dinner” para sa pagpo-promote ng local tourism at sumailalim din umano ang mga guests sa COVID-19 testing bago sila makadalo. Aniya, "Ang goal namin is to help restart the economy, help the economy by restarting tourism. "Nagkataon may music at lumabas na cultural dancers.”