BAGUIO CITY Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, July 15, 2020, assured his constituents being head of the national government’s contact tracing program will not affect his local government duties.
He said, while his new task requires time and attention, he is confident the city’s affairs will not be affected with the kind of system the local government has adopted.
He explained, “Since the start of my administration, I have made sure that we have implemented good governance. I have developed leaders in all levels…. Our department heads and key officials are empowered to make decisions without the need for my constant presence.”
“Besides, I will make sure that I can be reached by anyone of them for any matter that will require my attention and decision ‘twenty four-seven’,” he added.
Magalong has been appointed by the National Task Force on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as contact tracing “czar” on account of the effectivity of the system he devised in tracking contacts of COVID-19 patients in the city.
He said he hoped his national duties can make a difference in pacing the country towards flattening the curve, recovering from the effects of the pandemic; and, establishing resiliency, which would naturally benefit the city.
The mayor had been consistent in saying the reopening of Baguio’s doors to tourism, the city’s virtual economic “bread and butter”, largely depends on the COVID-19 landscape in Regions 3, 4 and the National Capital Region.
It was noted, 43.98-percent of Baguio’s tourists hail from these parts.
He assured, the city’s COVID-19 management system is strategic and is expected to hold.
To kick off his national tasks, Magalong will lead a two-day intensive training in Regions 4 and the NCR this week. This will be followed by another in Region 3. These areas were prioritized because of their “critical” status.
The mayor’s COVID-19 management discourse will later fan out to other areas in the country.
Days before his appointment, the mayor had just returned from Cebu City and Muntinlupa City which sought his help in developing their contact tracing capabilities.**Aileen P. Refuerzo
