The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members unanimously approved during their regular session on Monday the resolution suspending barangay fiestas and other crowd-drawing barangay events in the province indefinitely amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Authored by board member Jose Peralta Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Federation president, the resolution said the suspension is a “precautionary measure in response to the threat of Covid-19”.

In an interview, Peralta said the peak of barangay fiesta celebrations are in the months of March, April, and May.

“As a legislative body, it is our duty to enact measures to maintain and protect the public’s health especially with all these recent events,” he said.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Provincial Federation president board member Jerome Vic Espino also moved for the inclusion in the resolution the postponement of SK crowd-drawing activities in the barangay.

Vice Governor Mark Lambino has directed the SP Secretariat to send copies of the resolution to all local chief executives, Liga ng mga Barangay, and SK Federation Presidents once duly signed by Governor Amado Espino III.

Meanwhile, the entrance of each building at the Provincial Capitol compound is equipped with thermal scanner and alcohol, manned by dedicated personnel.

“If the person’s temperature is at 38 degrees Celsius, he or she will immediately be brought to a designated health station for further check-up. All offices have alcohol, and soaps in comfort rooms as proper handwashing and personal hygiene is very important,” provincial information officer Orpheus Velasco said.

Velasco said there is no need to panic, underscoring Espino’s call for vigilance.

“We need to implement precautionary measures, including maintaining a clean and healthy body, and surrounding, and let us follow the orders of the health authorities,” he added.

The provincial government has also postponed big events in the province. (PNA)