“Emergency situation calls for extraordinary measures,” thus said Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Manuel R. Gaerlan as he called for public cooperation on the recent imposition of new guidelines and policies in the Freeport, amidst the sudden increase of COVID-19 cases here and around the country.

In a statement, Gaerlan asked for the public’s understanding on the current situation and underscored the importance of imposing stricter protocols during these times.

“Kung kayo ay maabala sa aming gagawin, humihingi kami ng pang-unawa. Wala tayo sa normal na sitwasyon kung “convenience” ang ating hanap. Emergency situations call for extraordinary measures. Maigi na ang magpairal ng restrictions kaysa wala kaming gagawin at hayaan lang lumala at kumalat ang COVID sa Clark, overwhelmed na po ang aming medical frontliners,” Gaerlan added.

These measures, according to the CDC president, were put in place to halt the growth of COVID cases in Freeport, particularly the Omicron strain.

“The measures that CDC are implementing is a response to the sudden increase of cases in the CFZ in the past days. There was a sudden surge of cases in CFZ in the past week. Kailangan po nating masigurado na bakunado at hindi “carriers” ang mga pumapasok sa Clark. Totoong maraming manhours, magastos at mahirap ang aming ipinatutupad subalit ito ay isang paraan upang mapigilan ang pagkalat ng OMICRON variant na ang mas apektado ng mas seryosong simtomas ay ang mga hindi bakonado,” he said.

Gaerlan stated that by implementing these policies, they hope to curb the spread of the virus and reopen Clark once the situation improves.

“Madali pong manahimik, mag-relax at hayaang maluwag na makalabas-pasok ang lahat sa Clark. Subalit hangad naming mapigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID sa lalong madaling panahon upang maibangon ng mas mabilis ang kabuhayan at sigla ng Clark. This action may not be popular but it is better than doing nothing at all,” the CDC president added.

He also encouraged the public to practice self-restraint and avoid unnecessary travels as much as possible.

“Kung hindi naman urgent at essential ang inyong lakad sa CFZ, umiwas na lang po muna upang hindi tayo makadagdag sa dami ng tao o sasakyan sa Clark lalong lalo na sa “rush hours” kung kailan pumapasok ang ating mga economic frontliners. Planuhin o i-schedule ang inyong lakad sa CFZ sa mga oras na mas kaunti ang pumapasok,” he said.

The CDC president went on to say that this policy will only be in place temporarily in order to stop the Omicron variant outbreak in the Freeport. Adjustments will be made as soon as conditions improve, and Clark will hopefully be reopen to the general public.

The chief executive of the state-owned corporation further emphasized the necessity of vaccination as a kind of protection over having none at all. He also requested the public to continue to cooperate with CDC and IATF’s health and safety guidelines.

“Bilang panghuli, ayon sa WHO, mas maigi pa rin ang bakunado kaysa walang bakuna. Tinatamaan pa rin ang mga may bakuna subalit mild o asymptomatic lamang samantalang ang mga hindi ay seryoso o kritikal ang epekto. Kung mayroon pong mga hindi bakunado sa inyong mga nasasakupan, tulungan po natin ang pamahalaan na hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan na magpa bakuna. Bukas po ang Clark sa mga nais magpabakuna. Patuloy po ang aming pagsusumamo at paghingi ng kooperasyon ng publiko na sumunod sa mga patakaran ng CDC, IATF at ng pamahalaan ngayong panahon ng pandemya. Maraming salamat po,” the CDC president added.