‘STAY AT HOME’: Iloilo City on ‘lockdown’

By Jennifer P. Rendon, Emme Rose Santiagudo, and Joseph B. A. Marzan

ILOILO City is now under enhanced community quarantine, commonly termed as lockdown, in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The lockdown takes effect today, March 20, 2020 until April 14, based on Executive Order No. 55-2020 which Mayor Jerry Treñas signed yesterday.

Treñas also signed Ordinance No. 2020-056 imposing mandatory curfew over the entire city from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The mayor said the primary purpose of the enhanced community quarantine is to protect frontline workers and the most vulnerable sectors.

“We have to protect doctors, nurses and other frontline workers so they wouldn’t be compromised and at the same time, we are also protecting the most vulnerable sectors who are at higher risk of being infected,” Treñas said.

The mayor said he preferred to term the move as a “lockdown” to better emphasize the order to the residents.

“The word lockdown is better to emphasize para sa tanan kay kon enhanced community quarantine daw parehos lang sa quarantine gihapon. We are doing this to limit the movement of people,” he said in a press conference on Thursday.

The quarantine includes mandatory closure of non-essential establishments, regulating entry to and exit from the city, and enforcement of strict social distancing.

Establishments which will remain open are:

-Public markets;

-Sari-sari stores, supermarkets, and groceries;

-Convenience stores;

-Diagnostic centers, laboratories;

-Pharmacies and drug stores;

-Water-refilling stations;

-Laundry shops;

-Manufacturing and processing plants or commissaries of basic food products and medicines;

-Banks, pawn shops;

-Money transfer services, payment and remittance centers;

-Public utilities (power, energy, water and telecommunications);

-Transportation;

-Hardware stores;

-Gasoline stations (including stores that sell LPG);

-Burial and crematory services, provided that public viewing and wake shall be prohibited;

-Food preparations, takeout and delivery services of restaurants, fast food chains and other eating establishments. Dine-in clients are strictly prohibited;

-Business process outsourcing (BPO) and KPO companies may be allowed to operate provided that workers are provided with on-site accommodations, provided further that the social distancing  and preventive measures prescribed; Hospitals and medical facilities, convenience stores, fast food chains, media outlets, shipping, and cargo companies, warehouses, public utilities, industry supply and repair, and BPOs and KPOs, which have operated beyond 8 p.m. prior to the issuance of the Order, will still be allowed to operate beyond the time.

-Media outlets, provided that designated field reporters and minimal crew shall secure necessary permits from the Iloilo City Government;

-Automobile repair shops;

-Other establishments that may be allowed by the Iloilo City Government.

Treñas warned establishments to follow the enhanced community quarantine lest they will be shut down.

“Those who will not close their establishments, as well as the smaller establishments such as sari-sari stores that will not close until after 7 p.m. will have to face the wrath of city hall,” Treñas said.

The order exempts the following provided that they present a company ID and proof of rendering work for the day:

-those working in businesses with work schedule within the curfew hours,

-Persons providing medical services such as nurses, doctors, including their drivers, hospital staff, and personnel from Department of Health (DOH) and local goverment amongst others

-Personnel in the funeral service industry

-Emergency responders

-Security services and law enforcement personnel

-Banks including employees and officers

-Employees of money transfer services, convenience stores, pharmacies, fast food, restaurants, telecommunication companies, water and energy companies

-Employees working in medical manufacturing establishments and food processing

-Essential skeletal force of Iloilo City and provincial government

-Persons coming from work

-National and local government officials

-Media personalities

-Public transport services such as jeepneys, buses, and tricycles provided that they practice social distancing as determined by the Public Safety Transportation and Management Office (PSTMO).

Treñas said he is still looking at the possibility of allowing at least one person from each household to buy essential goods even as he assured that there is more than sufficient stocks in the supermarkets.

The mayor assured that public transport services within the city will not be prohibited from operating as long as social distancing measures are followed.

Treñas also said that persons with sore throats, colds, flu like symptoms should be presumed as COVID-19 positive, “especially in all your work places and should be asked to go home for self quarantine.”

“Please let everyone know, especially those who are covered as essential businesses. Once you have more severe symptoms then that will be the time you seek medical assistance,” he said.

 

CLARIFICATIONS

City Legal Officer GV Cuñada said offices of national government agencies will be subject to the rules of the Civil Service Commission and their respective agencies.

Several measures will also be required of exempted establishments, such as visible posting of the COVID-19 hotline, observance of social distancing with one meter between each person, constant disinfection in high traffic places, provision of hand sanitizers and alcohol, filling out daily health interview cards for employees, putting sanitation protocol in place and compliance inspections by either the IATF-EID, the DOH or the CHO.

On the prohibition of the sale of alcoholic drinks and liquors, Cuñada clarified that alcoholic drinks or liquors, regardless of the percentage of alcoholic content, are banned.

The EO also mandated that only one person per household can leave the house for buying food and other essential goods and services.

Cuñada said the people should stay at home when there is no need to get out.

“We have to think if we really need to get out of our homes. Whoever we are, even if we have healthy bodies, we may be at risk of getting the virus. We may even infect our family when we return home,” Cuñada said.

Dr. Annabelle Tang from the CHO said the City Government has opened positions for 9 doctors, 28 nurses and 10 job order staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and also to work on other health emergencies such as dengue.

There are currently 27 persons under investigation in home quarantine and 6 persons under investigation confined in various hospitals in the city according to COVID-19 point person Dr. Roland Fortuna.

 

TRANSPORTATION

The Iloilo City Government will provide modern jeepneys and a bus to transport essential frontline health workers to all hospitals in the city.

PSTMO Director Jeck Conlu said ten buses from Vallacar Transit (Ceres Bus Liners) and Southwest Travel and Tours have been given special permits by the Land Transportation and Franchising Board (LTFRB) to operate within the city’s main roads to transport people for a fee of P10.

Conlu added that while taxis, tricycles, and trisikads will be allowed to operate as usual, social distancing must be observed and only one passenger will be allowed per unit.

Cargo vehicles carrying food and medicines from all points of Panay Island will be allowed to travel within the city, as the PSTMO has lifted its regular ban.

Contrary to earlier reports in the media, there are no restrictions on entry and exit from the city in the order, however, Trenas says those who do not have essential business within the city will be turned away at checkpoints in the city boundaries.

Exempted establishments during the enhanced community quarantine will be allowed to operate only within hours provided by the order.

 

REDUCED MANPOWER, FUNDS

The City Hall already reduced its staff to 50 percent and will continue to reduce its staff throughout the enhanced community quarantine.

But Treñas assured that the staff will continue to receive their regular salary despite working from home or if they do not report to work.

Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) on Thursday passed a resolution seeking to utilize the P98-million quick response fund.

The funds will be used to acquire laboratory materials and testing kits, food, medicines and medical supplies, medical equipment for the quarantine centers, personal protective equipment, disaster response supply and equipment, livelihood support and cash for work, African Swine Fever (ASF) campaign, and contingency fund.

This calamity fund comes from different sources, such as the 2019 Special Trust Fund, 2014 Special Trust Fund which was reverted to the General Fund, 2019 Gawad Kalasag Prize, and the 2020 Quality Response Fund.

Treñas said that the Cash for Work program, which is allocated to workers who may lose their jobs from the enhanced community quarantine, will also be supported by the Department of Labor and Employment, and may even include sidewalk vendors who will be displaced.

“I hope that the funds will be enough for the people. If it’s not, we will come up with what is needed,” Treñas said.

The resolution is expected to be enacted into an ordinance in a special session of the Iloilo City Council today, March 20.

As to the quarantine centers, Treñas said that he has talked with the Department of Education and has reserved the Iloilo Central Elementary School and A. Mabini Elementary School in City Proper.

Treñas assured that the city government will continue to work for the people.

“I want everyone to know that I am here, Lucy [Sinay] is here, Dr. [Roland] Fortuna is here, and the Chief of Police is here for you,” Treñas said.