Bulakan, Bulacan | The Coronavirus Chronicles | Lockdown In Full Effect

bulacan·March 28, 2020

Monday, 23 March 2020
Day 9 Bulacan, Philippines Lockdown.

“Unbelievable. That is the only word I can use to describe what I saw through Bulakan, the former capitol of Bulacan Province.

We’ve been on a province-wide lockdown for 2 weeks now, as well as a voluntary quarantine since New Year’s Eve, and subsequently, this is the first time we have ventured out.

The purpose, as well enter into an even more secure lockdown we needed to obtain our Media Travel Pass in order to conduct minimal in-person tasks and coverage.

At first glance, is was very normal day. However, upon a closer look into the usually bustling Bulakan, you notice the absence of street food, stakes, vendors, tricycle drivers and even jeepneys.

Normally, Monday is a busy day in Bulakan because of “Tiangge” (a popular bazzare), but when you go out into the Downtown area, the vibe is completely changed.

Now, there are checkpoints at every barangay neighborhood entrance. Armed Forces are telling people in the road to stay inside their houses and the entrances to the marketplace have very long lines.

We had planned to showcase Malolos today, however, due to the Lockdown, even media was not permitted into Malolos -even with an Official Barangay Travel Pass.

We decided to buy needed groceries and supplies instead of traveling.