No total lockdown in Cavite: Remulla says sorry for confusion

MANILA - Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday night clarified that he will not implement a total lockdown in the province from May 1 to 15.

This, as his previous announcement on changes in the quarantine protocols in the province led some to think a total lockdown will be enforced because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a Facebook post, Remulla apologized for his confusing post, clarifying the changes in the protocols.

"I understand that my previous posts gave everyone the impression that a total lockdown was inevitable. I was wrong for doing that," he wrote.

Remulla also said suspending the operations of wet markets and supermarkets will not be possible as 12 percent of the province's population, or aorund 120,000 households, do not have refrigerators and have to buy food daily.

He also said the local governments in the province would not be able to feed their respective constituents for 15 days.

Though acknowledging that a total lockdown will be the ultimate solution to the pandemic, Remulla said he also has to ensure the well-being of everyone.

"Don’t get me wrong. I intend to administer the full force of the law to protect the well being of everyone. I will use all the resources available to make sure that the curve does not rise. Everyone’s safety is my concern. The conditions I set in my previous post remain," Remulla said.

"Muli, nahingi po ako ng konting pang-unawa sa inyong lahat. We are all tired, anxious, frustrated, and want things to return to normal. I take full responsibility," he added.

In an earlier Facebook post, Remulla said he will be implementing a province-wide 24-hour curfew, where only quarantine pass holders, frontliners, food handlers and other essential workers will be exempted.

He also prohibited residents from going out of their houses to exercise or go jogging, with anyone caught outside their houses without a quarantine pass to be arrested.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday extended the enhanced community quarantine in selected areas, including the Southern Tagalog region, until May 15.