Mayor orders crackdown on ECQ ‘loiterers’

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered security personnel in the city to monitor private vehicles and individuals loitering on city streets amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a press conference Thursday, Treñas said he instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Army, Public Safety and Traffic Management Office (PSTMO) to halt private vehicles plying city streets and check the passengers’ quarantine passes.

The mayor warned that individuals who fail to bring their quarantine passes will be detained at the police station.

“Sa tanan bala nga pumuluyo, may instruction kita sa AFP, PNP, PSTMO nga sa mga salakyan pauntaton, ikuhaan sang ila data, kag tan-awon ila ECQ passes. Ang wala ECQ pass dal-on sa police station kag i-detain in the meantime,” he said.

Treñas issued the order after vehicle gridlocks were observed in key areas in the city amid the ECQ.

He reminded the residents to follow protocols imposed by the city government, particularly in bringing their quarantine passes when they leave their homes.

“Everyone should have his/her ECQ pass, ang tanan nga wala ECQ pass sa dalan will face detention in police stations,” he said.

Following the recommendation of the national Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), the mayor issued Executive Order (EO) No. 68 extending the ECQ in Iloilo City from May 1 until May 15.

Under the EO, all persons who need to go outside for essential purposes are still required to present a barangay quarantine pass.

Quarantine passes will also be required to those entering the borders and the city limits within the ECQ period.

As part of the safety measures, the public are advised to observe the mandatory use of face masks and the practice of social distancing.

The vulnerable population, particularly persons who are more than 59 years old and less than 21 years old, persons with disabilities, and persons with risk factors and co-morbidities are prohibited from leaving their houses except when buying food, medicine, and medical emergencies.