Guv okays return of Ilonggos stranded in other WV provinces

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Monday said he will allow Ilonggos stranded in other parts of Western Visayas which are now under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to return home.

The provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Negros Occidental were previously placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Their ECQ status ended April 30 and downgraded to a more relaxed GCQ upon recommendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases (NIATFMEID).

But Iloilo opted to retain the ECQ in the province via Executive Order (EO) No. 110 on April 30, extending it to May 15, 2020.

The province was previously under GCQ via EO No. 028-C issued on March 15, which was then upgraded to ECQ via EO No. 080 dated March 20.

The ECQ was originally set to expire on April 14, however due to the growing number of cases in the province and recommendation by the NIATFMEID, the ECQ was extended via EO No. 102 to April 30.

Defensor said the reason for the easing of restrictions was due to the downgrading.

“It’s one of the exceptions that have come up because of the national issuances. It’s important that if anyone returns here, they should come from a low-risk area. Before, we couldn’t do it because we were on the same level. Time came that it had changed. If there isn’t a transfer of risk, we could facilitate the transfer,” he said.

The governor said that the province will still be careful in handling the return of the stranded residents.

“Our consensus with the mayors [in Iloilo province] is that the risks aren’t transferable. Second, we will continue with quarantine procedures. If we should make it a home quarantine, we will do it,” he said.

He said he consulted Vice Governor Christine Garin, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, provincial mayors, and other provincials during their meeting on Monday.

He said that the province is now developing guidelines in collaboration with the mayors.

He added that these guidelines will follow strict quarantine measures.

“It has to be organized, it has to be coordinated, and has to follow the rules of quarantine. We have guidelines but it has not been developed. It’s one of the things we talked about with the mayors, how to develop the operation [of returning stranded Ilonggos]. It has to be perfect,” he said.

He said they will coordinate with local government units (LGU) on the repatriation.

“We have to do it with full coordination, starting between LGU to LGU, and not rush processes. The borders will not open easily,” he said.

Department of Health data indicated that as of May 4, Iloilo province has 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with five active cases, nine recoveries and four deaths.