ILOILO – While allowing the reopening of establishments and industries related to agriculture, among others, under an extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the provincial government is maintaining travel restrictions.
“We do not want to let our guards down,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
There are, however, a few exemptions. In Executive Order (EO) No. 110 extending the ECQ to May 15, restrictions on travel do not cover the following:
* government officials and employees travelling in the pursuit of their functions
* medical personnel and health/humanitarian workers performing functions in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
* residents of Iloilo City and the province of Guimaras traveling to Iloilo
“Transportation or forwarding in the conduct of trade, delivery of social/humanitarian services, fishing/marine activities, scientific/academic pursuits, and such other essential purposes, shall not be hindered” also, stated Section 5 of EO 110.
Section 7, on the other hand, enjoined municipalities and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend the operation of public transport under their respective jurisdictions.
However, stressed the EO, there shall be shuttle services provided by municipalities stationed in their barangay exit points to transport ECQ pass holders to the poblacion area and those commuting on a daily basis to Iloilo City.
The schedule of the shuttle services shall be determined by the municipal mayors.
Meanwhile, transportation not operating as public utility vehicles must observe the following social distancing measures:
* for pedicabs – only one passenger allowed
* for motorcycles – no back riders
* tricycles – only two passengers (one at the front seat and one at the back seat), provided that the front and back seats shall have a divider made of nonporous material, such as wood or plastic
* jeepneys – only one-half of their seating capacity is allowed; passengers must be seated one seat apart
* buses – for a row for three passengers, only two is allowed; for a row of two passengers, only one is allowed
* transport vans – only one-half of the seating capacity is allowed; passengers must be seated one seat apart
* motorized bancas – passengers must be seated one meter apart
* private vehicles – only one-half the seating capacity is allowed
The Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Quarantine were enjoined to enforce these travel restrictions.
Under Section 6, persons who enter the province in violation of the travel restriction shall be placed under quarantine for 14 days.
The previous ECQ ended on April 30.
An abrupt loosening of restrictions on people’s movements could result to a spike in COVID-19 cases, warned Defensor.
“Dasig lang ‘ni ang 15 days. Indi kita maghalog. Sa baylo, maghugot pa gid kita sa pagpangudal kay amo ‘ni ang maayo para sa aton tanan,” said Defensor./PN
