CEBU CITY, Cebu, July 8 (PIA) -- All 27 barangays of San Remigio town in northern Cebu have maintained their drug-cleared status for the past three years.

During the Network Briefing News interview hosted by Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar on July 5, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said they are proud of being able to keep the 100% drug-cleared status for all their barangays.

"This is a feat we are very proud of," said Martinez. 

He said their municipality is a recipient of the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award in 2019.

Mental health check during pandemic

Meanwhile, Martinez lamented on how the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left their people isolated and unable to work and continue with their normal lives.

Also, he said the pandemic has greatly affected the people's mental health after they noted a few cases of people with depression.

However, Martinez said their Rural Health Unit personnel and barangay health workers have already undergone mental health training and would be able to spot persons with mental health problems even before these issues get full blown.

The mayor said the have a mental health facility where they have been treating over 200 mental patients on a monthly basis.

Slowly reviving economy through tourism

Martinez said San Remigio town was the most visited municipality in terms of hotel guest arrivals a few years ago; the second in Central Visayas next to Panglao town in Bohol.

"Right now, we're catering mostly to local tourists but slowly we're picking up and hopefully, more people come and boost our economy," he said.

The mayor said to prevent the spread of the virus, they plan to control the amount of people using the facilities, especially the ones visiting their beaches and ensure that social distancing is being observed.

For projects to help boost tourism in their municipality, he said the municipal government has collaborated with the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority for road projects of about six kilometers.

Also, Martinez said San Remigio is the site for a Shrine of Fatima which is being built by the Archdiocese of Cebu and is supposed to be inaugurated in October as part of the 500 years of Christianity celebration.

"This is only the fourth in the entire world and the only one in the county and Asia. This will be a big boost to religious tourism," he added. (RMN/PIA7/Ileana D. Cortes)