I would probably see more grey hair and quite a few lines on the face of our young Mayors.  They must have aged overnight in handling the COVID-19 crisis.  They are not only in charge of seeing to it that the virus is contained.  They are also responsible for implementing the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the national government, of which they had little participation in crafting.  Consider that the SAP was needed to help 24 million vulnerable households.  But what was appropriated could only help 18 million. It was a sure formula for frustration.   Add to that the constantly changing guidelines of who should be included and excluded, and how much would be given and deducted.  Since Land Bank is not fully operational, funds have been slow in coming.  These all conspire for a program that would trigger anger. And the barangay captains and mayors end up as whipping boys.

I can only heave a sigh when I see messages, facebook posts, and news that constantly criticize the local governments.  Some of them may be true, but a lot of our local government officials are trying their best.  If only for a brief moment, we should try to walk a mile in their shoes.

 We were in total sympathy with Mayors when they shared their experiences in implementing a General Community Quarantine (GCQ).  For two months, they took watch over their residents like children, isolated the PUMs, took care of the PUIs, did contact tracing, and supplied food to those who have so little.  And then suddenly, they have to deal with non-residents and strangers who have not been tested for the virus.  What made it worse was that the guidelines came so late and left them little time to prepare their communities. So, on the day of the reckoning, people flew like birds enjoying their freedom and thinking that the virus is gone. They reported cases of abuse where IATF Identification cards were lent to unauthorized parties to “smuggle” “strangers” and returning residents into their communities without the required quarantine. It is sad but true—some Filipinos are ingenuous.  “Kung saan pwede, lulusot” (They would always find ways.)

After a brief moment of ranting, local government officials rose to the challenge. The Mayor from San Fernando City introduced an app similar to Grab but with a plus, plus.  Residents can place an order with a store and goods are picked up and delivered by tricycle drivers.  The fly in the ointment is how to pay the sellers.  The Mayor had to frontload the money.  The tricycle drivers collect payment from households and make accounting at the end of the day.    The scheme helps the residents and the tricycle drivers with reduced income since they can only carry one passenger at a time. 

Bacnotan, La Union through the leadership of Mayor Francis Fontanilla has computerized the issuance of health certificates and quarantine passes.   There is strictly no entry for those without health certificates and quarantine passes except those from LGUs where they have coordinative arrangements.

Mayor Jaime Villanueva has devised a way so that residents can have access to medicine in the absence of a big drugstore in Tiwi, Albay.  He has designated a local government employee to collect all orders and make the transaction in a pharmacy in the next town.  He has also imposed a price control on basic necessities and maximum tariff on tricycles.  This was done democratically through a consultative consensus.

Mayor Carlo Medina has created a window in City Hall where residents can air their complaints and difficulties.  There are dedicated SAP hotlines which the Mayor mans himself whenever he is free.  He says that most of the time, the residents only need a patient and understanding ear.  That is an understatement of course, because the city government has given help to those who were excluded.

Mayor Hermie Velasco from San Gabriel, La Union adds immune boosters like Vitamins to food packs for the elderly and children.  He has mobilized barangay teams to collect the produce of households and bring them to wholesalers. In their small way, they have sustained a supply chain.

Drawing from his experience, Mayor Medina offers a loadful of advice to local governments.  He stresses the formulation of clear guidelines and communicating them to residents.  He calls for a coordinated protocol on handling the entry of people from ECQ to GCG.  He advocates giving senior citizens their freedom and trusting them to protect themselves and their communities, and lowering the age requirement for workers who can leave their homes from 21 to 18.

And of course, a non-verbalized request for us to imagine how to walk a mile in their shoes.

It was like a scene in the 80’s when after quite some time, phone pals asked “Isn’t it about time for us to meet?”  Synergeia Mayors had been conversing using a viber group for the last several weeks.  They were sharing updates, problems, and innovations.  They were proud to announce Zero (0) infection in their towns and in recovering COVID patients.  They felt distraught with discoveries of infection that was brought about by migrants.  They shared frustrations with the lack of PPEs and the confusion that came with the implementation of the Social Amelioration Program.  They exchanged Easter greetings and feelings of hope.  And then somebody asked, “Isn’t it about time for us to meet?”   Their meeting was to be through Skype, which Mayor Rex suggested.

However, almost everyone had difficulties with Skype.  It was the first time for some of them to hear about it.  So, Mayor Rex adjusted graciously and said “We can use Zoom”.

The first problem was how to download the app and register.  It must have been a complicated process for those who did not even have an email address.   The others with an erratic internet connection just simply gave up. This just tells us that there are many things at our fingertips that are beyond the reach of many.

The meeting day finally came and some came early.  But the meeting could not begin on time because the Mayors from NCR were still in another virtual meeting.  Half-an hour later, Mayor Rex came puffing and huffing.  Obviously, he was used to Skype meetings and spoke through a microphone.  It was as if he was addressing a conference.  But his voice came with a static and we strained our ears to listen well.  Then he told me us to “mute” our phones while one person was talking.  I myself was so unused to this protocol and I turned on the mute button all the time.  Board Member Jason sent several messages- “Naka-mute po kayo!”  Then I realized why    nobody was speaking.

Mayor Oca Moreno was conducting several zoom meetings simultaneously.  So, it was another chore to listen to him in the midst of all the other voices.

Mayor Vico wearing a baseball cap looked like a real preppie when he joined the meeting.  But we were unable to hear what we was saying.  Finally, he said, “Sorry, I have lost the connection.”

Despite the encumbrances, Mayor Rex walked the Mayors through the process of mass testing.  He is a rapid talker and breezed through terms such as rapid testing and PCR.   Mayor Jerry Trenas shared his experience in Iloilo City with the tests kits made by UP and having the results processed through a laboratory.  After a while, Mayor Ramon Piang asked if it was compulsory for Mayors in Mindanao to have mass testing.  It raised a red flag on the need to explain the importance of mass testing and how it can be done using layman’s language.

Mayor Vico regained his connection and shared that Pasig would no longer do rapid tests because of the “negative cases which turned positive”.  Many perhaps did not know what he meant.  But he graciously offered his rapid test kits to those who need them more.  Like Mayor Rex, he partnered with a hospital to conduct mass testing of residents.  But the big problem remains, what can LGUs from poorer municipalities do? Mayor Jerry stressed that we should continuously advocate for DOH to accredit more regional hospitals to be testing centers.

Mayor Raul Banias surprised us all by turning maverick.  He has used hospitals to house PUIs, continued spraying disinfectants despite a DOH advisory, and barred all non-residents from entering Concepcion.  There is 0 infection in his municipality and intends to keep it that way.  We teased him about violating orders which do not make sense to be able to follow his common sense.

While the meeting was going on, there were frantic text messages and phone calls from others who could not join because they did not have a password, could not download the app, or   intermittent internet connection.  This tells us that we still cannot do without the conventional methods of communications- texting highlights of our meetings, and hold on to our fax machines.

 Because the Mayors have very little time to spare, many of them had to leave early before the meeting ended.  I must find time to write about the science and art of communicating with local leaders, i.e. how to explain concepts using  sharp, simple and short bullet points.

But all is well that ends well.  The Mayors were happy to find support in each other, even virtually.

I have always been a fan of Mayor Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City.  In a time of crisis, he shows us how it is to maintain order, preserve calm, contain the virus, and protect the vulnerable.

Mayor Vico Sotto has also been the darling of social media.  Young as he is, he blazes the trail for innovation and inspiration especially during this crisis. 

There are many Rex and Vicos in our midst—from Vigan up to Tawi Tawi.  They do not get the same media and social mileage.  But they rise above the challenge and lead community-efforts to isolate their communities from the pandemic. And they learn from one another, and replicate effective  practices so that they are mainstreamed.   

As early as the last week of February, thermometer scanners were already in use in Valenzuela’s public places.  An anti-hoarding and panic-buying ordinance was passed.  Clubhouses, parks, and construction activities were temporarily closed.  Public places and toilets were disinfected.  Inter-faith dialogues were conducted to promote a   bayanihan spirit in preventing the spread of the virus.   Health protocols, monitoring and referral systems were drawn to define responsibilities and work flows.   Portalets and handwashing stations were set up in checkpoint areas. And so were modular tents and beds in the City’s Astrodome which became the city’s 2^nd Isolation center. A transportation system was organized for all public health workers and medical personnel. Valenzuela introduced a food voucher system and mobilized the barangays, volunteers and the private sector for a door-to-door delivery.

Pasig City introduced the use of drones for disinfecting public places.  A mobile market was set up to ensure a supply chain.  Feeding is done through a mobile kitchen and food packs are delivered to the most vulnerable.  The mayor’s presence in leading all these activities spurs inspiration.

Rural areas such as Concepcion and Ajuy, Iloilo, show us that a health crisis can be effectively dealt with even with little resources. Barangays serve as their potent force in identifying Persons under Monitoring (PUM) and contact tracing.  Mayor Raul Banias keeps the PUMs quarantined for 14 days   in schools and provides them with food and health kits.  Health workers monitor their conditions regularly.  From 170 PUMs, the number has gone down to zero. Mayor Raul sets up community kitchens in every sitio to support the poor and elderly and uses healthy food like malunggay to strengthen their immunity.    Mayor Jett on the other hand distributed 25 kilos of rice to every family to help them become self-sufficient.  Protocols are set for fishermen to to ensure that they wash and disinfect themselves with facilities that are provided in ports.  Ajuy has no instance of virus infection.

Agoo, La Union is another municipality with a 0 Covid case.  In addition to all the preventive measures, Mayor Stefanie Eriguel has asked that a municipal siren should be sounded every 2 hours to remind all the residents to wash their hands, observe hygiene, and social distancing.  A delivery system was established with a hotline number so that goods and medicine can be delivered especially to the elderly.

Mayor Carlo Medina from Vigan added an “Anger Management System” to stem the tide of blame and complaints.  The local government assures the public that it is in control; it has developed a plan, and demonstrates its capacity to implement the plan through consistent service delivery.   Through presence, performance, and plans, trust is built and hope is fostered.

The best way to help our health and hospital workers is to stop the spread of virus in every village. Let’s hope that more local leaders and central government officials follow the lead of our outstanding local governments.

And please note their self-effacing attitude.  “Do not thank us.  Thank yourselves.  It is your tax money that we are spending”.