BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
EB Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon and some members of his family have tested positive for COVID-19, Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) confirmed yesterday.
Malacon’s lawyer Ariel Malunes last night also confirmed that the mayor and some members of his immediate family had COVID-19 and that they believe that they were infected in Bacolod City, so local transmission in EB Magalona is unlikely.
“They are currently confined in a Bacolod hospital and are recovering,” Malunes said.
EB Magalona Vice Mayor Eric Matulac is currently in charge of running the town government so there is no disruption of public service, he added.
“Mayor Malacon is a hands-on mayor and a frontliner in this fight. He has checked himself into Riverside hospital to ensure the safety of others, and get proper treatment and monitoring. He seems to be recovering, and has not visited the EB Magalona town hall for some weeks in order to work from home as suggested by health protocols. We pray for his quick recovery,” Benitez said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and former Rep. Alfredo Albee Benitez have been meeting with doctors, health workers and local government officials to review and improve protocols as local transmissions spread, even among family members in the same households, the congressman said.
The Metro Third District COVID-19 alert system and protocols are in place, yet from the very beginning citizens support and cooperation have been the most critical, he said.
“COVID knows no boundaries. This virus is now breaching frontlines and frontliners — we need to double our vigilance and increase our compliance with health protocols to try and stem the tide of infection, and help our health system in the fight against the virus. We need to work together to effectively battle this pandemic,” the congressman said.
“For the sake of our loved ones at risk, we shouldn’t fear the virus and let panic dictate our actions, but neither should we be complacent, and ignore health protocols,” he added.*
