Bacolod ECQ exit plan ready for implementation

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Councilor Archie Baribar said that the Enhanced Community Quarantine exit plan of this city is ready for implementation.

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia created the Exit Planning Committee chaired by Baribar via Executive Order 34.

Baribar said the committee is ready with its executive plan after the end of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Bacolod City on May 15.

He said the exit plan will be defined according to Executive Order No. 112 dated April 29 and the proposed omnibus guidelines on the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines.

Baribar further said that “there will be some changes if we exit from ECQ to general community quarantine (GCQ) which affects category 1, 2 and 3 workers and transportation.”

Rules on wearing of masks, observance of social distancing, thermal scanning, basic hand hygiene and curfew will still be in place.

Baribar said once the city exits from ECQ, establishments allowed to open 100 percent are those classified under category 1 – hospitals, dental clinics, retail establishments, food manufacturing and processing plants.

Businesses engaged in food preparation, water stations, logistic providers/cargo handling, banks, power and water utility firms, garbage services, veterinary services, gas stations, laundry shops, funeral services, construction and other establishments providing services to OFWs and BPOs are also allowed to open at full capacity.

Establishments and offices under category 2 that will be allowed to open at 50 to 100 percent capacity are those engaged in delivery services, rental leasing activities, postal/courier activities, aircon/appliance services and export companies.

Establishments and offices that will be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity (using work from home setup), are BPO companies, legal and accounting financial companies, non-leisure services, auto and cellphone repair shops, real estate development, non-contact sports establishments, as well as outdoor activities.

Schools, leisure and amusement establishments, tourism establishments except hotels and pension houses used as quarantine centers, will remain closed.

Baribar also said that restaurants will remain closed except for takeout orders, tourism establishments except for hotels and delivery services, malls except for non-leisure establishments such as supermarket, drug store, banks, hardware stores.

Baribar said they will continue to implement measures to ensure that they sustain whatever gains have been acquired during the ECQ.

This includes the continued implementation of border check-up points and strengthening health measures required of repatriated OFW and returning residents of Bacolod City.