GCQ holidays in the city

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

No gifts and caroling. Hold private parties.

This is how the holidays in Iloilo City will look and feel during the imposition of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) next month due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Iloilo City government issued two executive orders setting the rules for holiday events as the city remains under general community quarantine in December 2020.

On Tuesday, Mayor Jerry Treñas issued Executive Order Nos. 190 and 194.

EO 190 regulates the sale, distribution, manufacturing, and use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices in Iloilo City, while EO 194 pertains to COVID-19 related measures during the holidays.

EO 190 prohibits the sale, distribution, manufacturing, and use of the following fireworks and pyrotechnic devices:

-Those whose net explosive(s) ingredient contents exceed 1/3 teaspoon;

-Those that will endanger life and limb such as atomic big triangulo, super lolo, and their equivalent;

-Those that use sulfur and/or phosphorous mixed with chlorates;

-Those sold without the necessary permits and licenses;

-Those determined by the Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection as dangerous to life and limb; and

-Class 4 fireworks and pyrotechnic devises sold to and used by persons not qualified as licensed pyrotechnicians and/or licensed fireworks display operators.

Class 4 fireworks and pyrotechnic devises are those used in fireworks displays.

 

MANUFACTURING ZONES

EO190 also designated fireworks and pyrotechnic devises manufacturing zones:

-Should be 300 meters away from the nearest residential area. In the absence of a perimeter. the 300 meters shall be measured from the closest wall;

-Shall be governed by, but not limited to the following safety measures;

-All buildings shall have adequate ventilation, no concrete floors, must be leak-proof and furnished with necessary fire extinguishers;

-The warehouse must be at least 50 meters away from any processing station.

The processing stations must follow minimum distance from each other, with all sides open:

Mixing station – 50 meters, Grinding station – 40 meters, Packaging station – 40 meters, Fuse making/Nagmimitsa – 20 meters, and Loading station – 20 meters.

Designated fireworks and pyrotechnic devises display zones for the month of December were also outlined in EO 190:

-Circumferential road 1, corner Jocson Street in Arevalo;

-Circumferential road 1 – corner Iloilo East Coast – Capiz along Ondoy’s Sugbahan

-Muelle Loney Street, along Riverside front of Muelle Loney Statue.

Fireworks and pyrotechnic devises display zones shall be separated from each other by a firewall with a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours, as determined by the Bureau of Fire Protection

Shopping malls and other similar establishments shall not be utilized as fireworks and pyrotechnic devises display zones for selling fireworks and pyrotechnic devises, unless the selling is done through media presentation or other means without necessarily displaying the said fireworks and pyrotechnic devises.

Fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with Section 10.2.6.7 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines).

Smoking within 15 meters from a display center and testing of fireworks and pyrotechnic devises shall be prohibited.

Stoves, explosive flames, and electrical heaters shall be prohibited at the display area.

 

FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Fireworks and pyrotechnic devises exhibition will only be allowed at a portion of the Iloilo River Esplanade in Barangay Progreso, Lapuz.

Organizers of fireworks display must comply with some requirements:

-a clearance to conduct fireworks and pyrotechnic devises exhibition from the Iloilo City Fire Marshal;

-a permit to possess and display fireworks and pyrotechnic devises shall be secured from the Philippine National Police;

-the fireworks and pyrotechnic devises shall be fired from a distance of at least 100 feet away from people;

-the fireworks and pyrotechnic devises shall be projected upwards;

-duly licensed person shall supervise the fireworks and pyrotechnic devises display;

-sufficient first aid and fire protection equipment must be at hand;

– The nearest fire station shall be notified of such fireworks and pyrotechnic devises display.

 

CHRISTMAS PROTOCOLS

On the other hand, EO 194 sets the rules on the conduct of Christmas and New Year-related celebrations.

The EO strongly encouraged the public to hold Christmas/New Year gatherings with attendees limited to members of the family living in the same household.

Work or non-family related Christmas parties/gatherings are highly discouraged.

Families that don not live in the same household who wish to get together for Christmas or New Year must do so in outdoor venues and with proper observance of physical distancing.

Virtual get-togethers and Christmas/New Year parties/gatherings held within the premises of one’s home are highly encouraged.

Even if gatherings are among family members, the attendees should continue to be vigilant in applying standard minimum health protocols such as proper physical distancing, frequent handwashing and non-sharing of utensils.

Persons with any signs of flu or symptoms of COVID-19, those who have been swabbed awaiting results, those with travel history for the past five (5) days and those tagged as “close contact” of a person confirmed to have COVID-19 even if asymptomatic, must refrain from attending said Christmas/New Year parties/gatherings.

If possible, a person must be assigned to serve the food.

“Avoid multiple people touching the serving spoon and plates. It is best to keep the number of people preparing the food to the minimum. Face masks should be worn when preparing, serving and getting food,” the EO added.

The order also encouraged zoning within the household.

“During the gathering and while eating, the elderly, pregnant or those with comorbidities should stay in one area, while the younger ones or those who have high levels of exposure should stay in another.”

The EO also cited the             importance of refraining any contact when greeting elders and other family members.

“If possible, refrain from gift exchanges. However, if extremely necessary, place disinfectants and rubbing alcohol nearby and practice proper hand hygiene before and after opening presents. If resources permit, there should be a back-up supply of surgical masks, face shields/eye protectors, and rubbing alcohol during the party,” it added.

Alcoholic drinks are also discouraged, even during private parties to ensure observance of health protocols.

 

GIFT-GIVING

Persons or groups who want to hold gift giving and /other philanthropic activities must also follow some rules.

Persons or establishments intending / to conduct gift-giving must ensure that standard health protocols such as (wearing of face mask and face shields/eye protectors and strict physical distancing) are strictly observed.

Recipients of non-perishable gifts and packages are highly encouraged to wait for at least 3-5 days before opening the same as the COVID-19 virus can still be present on the surfaces during this time Also, recipients are advised to sanitize gifts they receive and practice hand hygiene after opening the same.

Traditional caroling, or the act of going house to house to sing Christmas carols is prohibited. It is only allowed when this activity is done virtually or through online means, or by family members living in the same household and that the act is conducted within the confines of their homes.

Conduct of the traditional religious activities such as Simbang Gabi, pre-dawn masses, Advent and Christmas masses, shall be allowed provided that religious gathering are only limited to the conduct of religious worship and/or service.

Religious denominations should strictly observe their submitted protocols and the minimum public health standards, particularly physical distancing measures and non-pharmaceutical interventions such as the obligatory wearing of face masks and immediate availability of hand hygiene necessities in the premises.

Churches are encouraged to schedule more Simbang Gabi Masses in different venues so as to reduce crowding of churchgoers.

 

SAFETY RESPONSE MEASURES

OE 194 also urged the public to observe these measures in all settings, at all times:

-Minimize your exposure with other people 14 days prior to your family gathering. Be extra careful. Be more conscious of safety precautions during this time If possible, quarantine yourself for 14 days before the gathering;

-Immediate family not living within the same household are advised to schedule their visits so the host can disinfect and prepare the home. Avoid overcrowding when visiting;

-Social gatherings and activities are preferably limited to persons living within the same household. These gatherings and activities must be kept as short as possible;

-Avoid activities that require travel to areas with higher quarantine classification;

-Avoid touching high-touch surfaces and ensure cleanliness;

-Ensure proper ventilation of the venue;

-Individuals vulnerable to disease, should limit their participation from social gatherings and risky activities;

-If sick, stay at home and avoid social gatherings. Immediately report to the local health authorities or barangay health emergency response teams (BHERTs) if a family member is found to be a suspect or contracted COVD-19;

-Increase physical and mental resilience;

-Practice healthy eating.