ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas threatened to sue the provincial government of Capiz for imposing border restrictions to curtail the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We are totally disappointed with Capiz,” an enraged Treñas said in a press conference yesterday.
New guidelines issued by the Capiz provincial government considered travelers from the city as locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and thus must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
These also set requirements, including the presentation of a valid identification (ID), a medical certificate and letter of acceptance from the local government of the intended destination.
Treñas also slammed the Capiz capitol for allegedly prohibiting the entry of cargoes and essential supplies from Iloilo City – Region 6’s center of commerce and industry.
“If the border restrictions nga ginbutang nila sa cargoes from Iloilo going to Capiz will not be taken out, we are going to file a formal criminal complaint,” warned Treñas.
These measures, according to Treñas, were not in the guidelines of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force.
He intends to bring up the concern before the Western Visayas Regional Task Force on COVID-19.
“Kon indi na ma-resolve ti medyo delikado kay ang taga-Capiz indi kasulod sa syudad, indi kabakal kag indi man siguro kapangumpra diri,” the mayor said. “Kon indi nila kita pagpasudlon didto, indi man naton sila pagpasudlon diri.”
For his part, Gov. Esteban Evan Contreras II of Capiz said the restrictions were a precautionary measure as Iloilo City reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) status beginning Sunday (Aug. 16) due to a surge in locally transmitted cases of COVID-19.
After a talk with RIATF, Contreras said he will lift the medical certificate requirement for cargoes.
“Subong, ginapa-adjust ko na gani sa aton nga legal team and I think daw may gamay nga misinformation lang kay ang na-post abi sa infographics naton, daw nangin general ang paglantaw nila,” the governor explained.
To note, as posted by Capiz provincial government in its Facebook page Capiz Kabalaka Information Center, Iloilo City residents and Capiznons who intend to enter Capiz are required to secure the following requirements:
* Valid ID
* Medical certificate (from a licensed doctor)
* Letter of Acceptance
* Travel authority from PNP
The order took effect on Aug. 15.
For those outside Iloilo City, Antique and Aklan, the requirements are valid ID and medical certificate from a licensed doctor.
A separate infographic was also posted bearing “Capiz Border Requirements” which included an ID, thermal scanning, medical certificate (for APOR-valid for 72 hours; for Individual – valid for 72 hours; and for cargo – valid for 5 days), and Letter of Acceptance and Travel Authority (for Iloilo City only)./PN
