SAN JOSE, Antique – The National Inter-Agency Task Force’s placing of Antique under general community quarantine (GCQ) did not sit well with Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
“Actually it’s useless…kasi ginagawa na namin ya ngayon eh. Parang modified GCQ (MGCQ) with heightened alert naman kami,” said Cadiao.
Antique’s shift from MGCQ to the stricter GCQ took effect on July 1. It will last until the end of the month.
But Cadiao said there would be no changes to the guidelines or health protocols being observed because Antique under MGCQ was already practicing stringent measures.
Curfew hours will still be from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Public consumption of liquor is prohibited. Gambling is banned. These restrictions aim to discourage mass gatherings.
“We didn’t have to impose a GCQ. It will send a wrong message to our economy, Cadiao told Panay News.
“Ang aming businesses are promising, medyo nag-pick up na, tapos ma-implement ikaw sang lockdown? Madulaan sang obra ang Antiquenos,” said Cadiao.
Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Antique were actually going down, added the governor.
If there’s anything good that should come out from the GCQ implementation, Cadiao said it should increase the number of COVID-19 vaccines being delivered by the national government to Antique.
“Sige sakyan ko na lang ang GCQ ninyo na hindi naman namin kailangan kasi wala namang pagbabago kasi parang GCQ naman ang ginagawa namin dito. Malay mo magkakaroon kami ng share ng vaccines,” said Cadiao.
The past month, Antique was also observing the following:
* persons below 18 and above 65 years old, with comorbidities, and pregnant women are required to stay in their residences at all times except for obtaining essential goods and services
* entertainment venues, cockfighting, lottery and other gaming establishments are prohibited
* gatherings outside residences are prohibited, while religious gatherings shall be allowed up to 30 percent of the venue’s capacity
* only accommodation establishments accredited with the Department of Tourism shall be allowed to operate
* all construction projects shall be allowed but subject for compliance and guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways
* travellers / locally stranded individuals entering Antique from outside of Region 6 must have negative COVID-19 test, Notice of Coordination from the local government unit of destination and an approved S-Pass.
* travel pass and border restrictions in Iloilo-Antique are lifted, however only essential travelers are allowed
As of June 30, Antique had 473 active COVID-19 cases, 1,669 recovered cases and 72 deaths, data from the Department of Health Region 6 showed./PN
