ILOILO – The provincial government is opening its borders not only to Ilonggos stranded in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) but also to its residents stuck in high-risk areas or those under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
There are, however, requirements that these Ilonggos must comply.
In Memorandum Order No. 21 (“Guidelines in the processing of returning residents of the Province of Iloilo and designation of focal persons”), Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. listed the following requirements that Ilonggos from ECQ areas must secure before being allowed entry to the province:
* negative reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result prior to travel
* certification of acceptance / undertaking of the local government unit (LGU) destination that it will accept the returnee and subject the latter to quarantine at a common quarantine facility (not home quarantine)
* certification from the local health unit of the returnee’s place of origin that the latter underwent a 14-day quarantine and did not exhibit signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
* certification of the governor allowing entry to Iloilo
For Ilonggos from GCQ areas such as the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental, there is no need for a negative RT-PCR test result prior to travel.
They, however, have to comply with the three other requirements similar to those required of Ilonggos from ECQ areas.
Atty. Suzette Mamon, provincial administrator, clarified that the required negative RT-PCR test result are only for returning Ilonggos who are overseas workers.
For Ilonggos from high-risk areas but are not overseas workers, she said, a negative result from rapid tests would suffice.
The provincial government also has the option of subjecting the returning Ilonggos to RT-PCR test upon arrival.
Still in line with Memorandum Order No. 21, the provincial capitol is making available a hotline number and email address through which returning Ilonggos could inquire about the processing of the requirements.
Meanwhile, the following were designated as focal persons of the provincial government for returning Ilonggos:
* Francisco Heler, Jr., head of the Public Employment Service Office – in charge of returning overseas workers; to be assisted by Dr. Ma. Socorro Quiñon from the Provincial Health Office
* Gilbert Marin, head of the Provincial Tourism Office – in charge of stranded domestic tourists; in coordination with the Department of Health
* Dr. Jerry Bionat, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office – in charge of returning local stranded residents
“The return has to be organized, coordinated,” said Defensor after meeting on May 4 Vice Gov. Christine Garin, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and mayors at Casa Real de Iloilo.
Mayors agreed their respective LGUs would make arrangements for the transport of their constituents entering Iloilo’s borders.
“Previously, we cannot allow them to return because we’re on the same level with the provinces they were stuck in,” said Defensor.
Now, only Iloilo province among Region 6’s provinces remains under an extended ECQ./PN
