‘VIRUS IS STILL HERE’ | Mayor: Don’t be complacent amid GCQ

By Emme Rose Santiagudo 

Iloilo City will downgrade to the “more relaxed” general community quarantine (GCQ) following the recommendation of the National Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (NIATFMEID), Mayor Jerry Treñas confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Treñas, while the city will slide down from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to GCQ starting Friday, safety measures such as physical distancing, use of face masks, and constant disinfection will still be imposed as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a threat.

“Amat-amat na kita gagwa sa ECQ pero indi buot silingon wala na ang virus. Amo na we really have to make sure nga ara gihapon aton mga safety measures, ang pagpasiguro sang face masks, observe sang social distancing,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

So, what awaits Iloilo City when it slides down to GCQ on Friday?

In the transport industry, Treñas said they will allow the operation of all taxis provided that safety measures are observed.

Jeepneys, tricycles and other public utility vehicles still await the guidelines from NIATFMEID.

“Ang aton taxis i-allow naton, ang PUJ and mga trisikad and tricycle nahulat pa naton ang IATF. Pero kon wala recommendation sa IATF, only 20 percent sang mga jeepneys ang magabalik sa kalsada,” he said.

According to transport Raymundo Parcon, one of the measures they will implement if jeepneys will be allowed to operate again is the reduction of passengers.

“Our capacity is 20 passengers, but it will be reduced to eight to allow physical distancing inside the vehicle. We will also provide alcohol and observe regular disinfection of the jeeps,” Parcon said.

Treñas said construction projects both in public and private will be allowed but operations will not go full blast as most workers are from the Iloilo province which is still under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.

“Most of the workers are from the province amo gid na ang problema that is why I will have to contact first ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) kon ano ila plano. While we will allow businesses ma-open sa GCQ, ang iban indi ka full blast kay ang workers halin province,” he said.

Border restrictions in the neighboring provinces will still be imposed in Iloilo City under the GCQ.

Quarantine passes will no longer be required within the city but workers from the province will have to present their passes upon entering the city.

The curfew will still be implemented in the city in three phases – 8 p.m., 9 p.m., to 10 p.m.

Treñas said the liquor ban will also remain in the city and will only be lifted once the GCQ is also over.

The mayor said 50% of employees in the City Hall will resume their work except for workers 60 years old and above and employees who are immuno-compromised.

Treñas encouraged businesses to subject their workers to testing as he is pushing for two private hospitals in the city to serve as additional COVID-19 testing centers – The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) and The Metro Iloilo Hospital.

“Gina-encourgae ko gid ang Metro Iloilo and TMCI nga ma-accredit sila laboratory. The more testing centers mas madasig ang pagwa sang resulta,” he said.

He added that the city government will release the full guidelines of the GCQ as the city’s COVID-19 Task Force is carefully studying the measures.

Under the GCQ, the NIATFMEID said local government units (LGUs) can relax their quarantine measures. Public transport will be allowed but in reduced capacity; while reopening of select establishments will be allowed from 50 to 100 percent but will be subjected to minimum health standards.

Areas under the GCQ shall observe the mandatory wearing of masks, mandatory use of alcohol, and mandatory temperature check, according to the national task force.

Selected workers will also be allowed to go out and work in phases and non-leisure shops and malls can have a partial opening.

Persons below 21 and above 60, including those individuals with high health risks, shall remain at home.

Treñas appealed for cooperation from residents as the city could slide back to ECQ or suffer more infections if they are not careful.

“We have to be very extra careful when GCQ na. Gapangayo gid ako cooperation and suporta halin sa publiko,” he said.