COVID-19 Crisis in Zamboanga City

On 30 January 2020, the Philippine Department of Health reported the first case of COVID-19 in the country with a 38-year-old female Chinese national. On 7 March, the first local transmission of COVID-19 was confirmed. Several measures were imposed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines, including bans on travel to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. On March 7, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) raised its "Code Red Sub-Level 1," with a recommendation to the President of the Philippines to impose a "public health emergency" authorizing the DOH to mobilize resources for the procurement of safety gear and the imposition of preventive quarantine measures.

On March 9, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922, declaring the country under a state of public health emergency. On March 12, President Duterte declared "Code Red Sub-Level 2," issuing a partial lockdown on Metro Manila and extending the metropolis' class suspensions up to April 12, to prevent a nationwide spread of COVID-19. The City Government of Zamboanga has formed various task groups to ensure preparedness in all levels of response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).



The local government closed the entry points on March 17, 2020, Tuesday, and implemented strict guidelines on the community quarantine. On the same night Mayor Climaco addressed the people of Zamboanga once again to declare an enhanced community quarantine due to the increasing PUMs and PUIs. To avoid the pandemic from happening in Zamboanga, the government assumed that COVID-19 has already infiltrated the city and thus preventive measures were strictly imposed.



On March 24, at 7PM, while an advisory was aired in TV, radio and social media, the authorities received the saddest news, and Mayor Beng immediately called a press conference 2 hours after. At 10PM, Mayor Climaco went live in Facebook to announce the first positive case of COVID-19 in the city. Watch the announcement here:



As of March 26, 2020, the City Health Office, through the Zamboanga Task Force COVID-19 released this map of barangays with PUMs and PUIs.


Barangays with Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) in Zamboanga City as of March 25, 2020 [Source City Health Office]


Barangays with Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) in Zamboanga City as of March 25, 2020 [Source City Health Office]

For inquiries and emergencies, please contact the Zamboanga Task Force COVID-19 Risk Communications Team Upgraded Communications Center 24/7 Hotline Numbers:

Globe Hotlines:
0975-073-0150
0975-073-0151
0975-073-7221

Smart Hotlines:
0998-175-8705
0998-175-8709
0938-300-4110
0938-300-4007
0938-300-4004

PLDT Hotlines:
975-3800
975-3801

ZCDRRMO:
955-9601

Health Lines:
0966-175-4298
975-3802

#COVIDreadyZambo #COVID19PH



For news and updates follow the official social media accounts:
Facebook: Beng Climaco | City Government of Zamboanga
Instagram: @zambocitygovt
Twitter: @zambocitygovt
Youtube: Zamboanga City Official