Bacolod regulates entry of APORs

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) should comply with health protocols or they will be refused entry into this city.

Leonardia issued the directive via Executive Order No. 50 which regulated the entry of APORs from outside Region 6 through additional health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

EO 51 states that Bacolod must take necessary action to curtail the rising local COVID-19 infections by regulating the entry of APORs.

The mayor said that with several APORs testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, they are considered as among the possible causes of increased local transmissions here.

The executive order mandated that all APORs will be allowed entry into Bacolod City without undergoing 14-day quarantine if they can present a government-issued ID, inter-agency task force against coronavirus (IATF) or Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) ID, or valid company ID or certificate of employment.

APORs are also required to present certificate of work schedule by their supervising officers or employers indicating the number of days of stay in the city, travel order for government officials and personnel, or proof of engagement of their services, or mission order for military and police personnel.

They should also present negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result released within three days before their entry to Bacolod and return ticket clearly indicating the date and time of departure from the city.

APORs should comply with the usual health screening procedures and fill out health declaration forms upon their arrival, the EO added.

The expenses for the RT-PCR Covid-19 tests for APORs from the private sector will be shouldered by them or by their employers.

The EO also said that APORs from the National Capital Region, Cebu City, or areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), and who intend to stay in Bacolod for more than seven days will undergo 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the city at a hotel, inn or accommodation establishment accredited by the city, at their own expense.

Exemptions to the requirements are the President and his staff, the Vice President and her staff, senators and congressmen, including their chiefs of staff, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and Sandiganbayan Justices; Ombudsman and deputy Ombudsman, commissioners of Constitutional Commissions, department secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, regional and provincial directors of national government agencies, or their duly authorized representatives while in the performance of their duties, members of the judiciary and prosecutors, whose assignment or jurisdiction require them to conduct hearings and/or perform their duties in the city.

Members of the military and enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, are also exempted provided they present the necessary mission order, travel order, or any document or proof that their travel into the city is for enlistment or employment.