NegOcc, Bacolod set MGCQ rules

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued Sunday night their respective Executive Orders placing the province and the city under Modified General Community Quarantine starting June 1, 2020.

Lacson issued EO No. 20-25 (An Order Implementing the Closure of Borders, Ports, and Airports of Negros Occidental) while Leonardia issued EO No. 38.

The orders implement the MGCQ from June 1 to15 and lifts home quarantines and allows more businesses to operate at 100 percent capacity.

Leonardia, however, said a daily curfew will still be observed from 10pm to 4am, with exemptions for workers on night shifts, public emergencies and those requiring medical assistance on board PUVs or private vehicles.

The MGCQ relaxes community quarantine protocols without prejudice to the declaration of localized Enhanced Community Quarantine in areas that become critical health-wise, Leonardia said.

The mayor also said that under the MGCQ, all persons can go outside their residences but must comply with the strict imposition of minimum health standards and protocols.

Public transportation will take on passengers based on the limited capacity prescribed by the Department of Transportation, and operated under a valid and unexpired franchise, he added.

“There will be no more odd-even transport scheme for out-of-town private vehicles,” Leonardia said.

Majority of businesses are allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity, except for the following that must operate at 50 percent of their capacity while malls and shopping centers in Bacolod City will be allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity provided they comply with required health protocols.

On mass gatherings movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings, are allowed, provided participants are limited to 50 percent of the venue or seating capacity and follow strict health protocols, Leonardia said.

 

NEGROS OCC BORDERS

Lacson said the borders of Negros Occidental and Oriental will also remain closed.

He cited that since “possible sources of infection for COVID-19 are people illegally crossing the borders of Negros Occidental, all local government units, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard are enjoined to heighten the security and patrol of the seaports and borders.”

Lacson further said that to preserve the health and safety of all Negrenses against the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing, mandatory use of face masks, and intra-border checkpoints must be observed.

All checkpoints stationed along the main highways in the borders of each LGU may be maintained for purposes of checking compliance with province-mandated COVID-19 safeguards and thermal scanning. However, Home Quarantine Passes and provincial passes will no longer be required or inspected, the governor said.