ICPO: Metro residents followed ‘block off’ rule

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) noted that most residents heeded the “block off” order which limited their movement on weekends.

Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson, said the first day of the enforcement of Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive No. 63 saw few people on the streets compared to weekdays.

“It appeared that those only authorized left their homes. Definitely, it restricted the movement of the people,” she said.

EO 63 mandates the strict implementation of the expanded enhanced community quarantine in the city.

Under the expanded ECQ, no persons shall be allowed to go out of their houses on April 18 to April 19 and April 25 to April 26, 2020.

Exempted from the expanded ECQ are residents who need to go to either the hospital or pharmacy or drug store provided that they have quarantine pass and wear a mask in public; health care personnel provided they present an identification card; and media practitioners provided that they have a pass from the city government.

The expanded ECQ also exempts essential government personnel, Iloilo City Emergency Response Team, and other personnel from the city government as ordered by the mayor.

During the expanded ECQ, all establishments and business operations of whatever nature (including sari-sari stores, talipapas, and small-scale convenience stores) shall be closed except for hospitals, drug stores, medical clinics, and funeral services.

Establishments that operate beyond 8 p.m. may be allowed to operate during the period of expanded ECQ provide that they shall provide for the accommodation of their personnel who render work during this period.

But Treñas clarified that during the block off, “groceries and markets will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. However, food and other deliveries will remain unhampered.”

He subsequently issued EO 64 for the mandatory presentation of quarantine pass to all persons who need to go to either buy food, basic commodities or go to the hospital or pharmacies or drugstorse. Only one quarantine pass will be given per family.

“After 3 p.m., Iloilo City was like a ghost town. The people cooperated,” Sangrines said.

In City Proper district, Police Major Francisco Paguia said that people initially thought that they are prohibited from going out at all times during the expanded ECQ.

But on Sunday, Paguia said they expect that some would opt to go out on the window hours provided for them to buy groceries and other essentials.

Market and grocery store goers usually flock starting from 9:15AM up to 10:30AM only. The following hours saw minimal buyers.

“The continuous effort of ICPO in apprehending and impounding tricycles and pedicabs greatly affected the movement of people, since we deny them transportation. However, there are some who still violate the guidelines,” he said.

In Molo district, Police Major Engilbert Banquillo also noted the restricted movement of people in the area.

With the closure of establishments at 3:00 p.m., “you can see that in clear alleys and street free of bystanders in every barangay right while we are conducting our saturation drive,” he said.

Banquillo said they still arrested five violators, though.

Police Major Marlon Valencia also said there was notable decrease of people on the streets in Mandurriao district.

As early as 1 p.m., residents have been going home before the 3 p.m. closure of establishments.

Meanwhile, Sangrines said that ICPO office personnel are made to render 3 hours beat patrolling to augment in the implementation of the lockdown.