LOCKDOWN. Public utility jeepneys (PUJs) are allowed to ply routes amid the implementation of the enhanced community lockdown in Iloilo City until Friday (March 20, 2020). Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said PUJs are not observing the required social distancing. (Contributed photo)
ILOILO CITY – Iloilo City is on enhanced community quarantine as the local government continues to strengthen its measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas signed Executive Order (EO) 55 on Thursday afternoon for its implementation effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, covering commercial and business establishments, government offices, and residential areas within Iloilo City.
“We are doing this to limit mobility. We are trying to limit mobility because we want to lessen the number of persons going around the city, whole Panay, and Guimaras. These are extraordinary times. For the first time, we are at war with something that we cannot see. That is why these extraordinary times, we have to meet this war with extraordinary measures,” Treñas said in a press conference before signing the order.
He said the city government was using the word lockdown “ to emphasize the need”, otherwise, others might think that it’s just business as usual in the city.
During the lockdown, a curfew starting from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. would be observed except in cases of emergency or for the purchase of food, medicines, and other necessities and prime commodities.
In explaining the order, lawyer GV Cuñada of the city legal office said that “establishments (that) are not necessary or not essential” to the public’s daily routine would be closed temporarily.
“What are essentials? Food, basic commodities, and health,” he said.
All public and private offices, business and commercial establishments would be closed, except for public markets, sari-sari and grocery stores, water refilling stations, and laundry shops; banks, pawnshops; burial and crematory services (provided public viewing and wakes are prohibited); agricultural supply stores; and automobile repair shops and parts and supply stores that would be allowed to operate until 7 p.m.
Moreover, medical clinics, diagnostic centers, laboratories; money transfer services, remittance centers; hardware stores; gasoline stations; and restaurants, fast food chains, and other eating establishments would be open until 8 p.m.
Hospitals, medical facilities; convenience stores; fast-food chains; media outlets; shipping and cargo companies; warehouse; selected public utilities; diagnostic centers; laboratories; pharmacies and drug stores; industrial supply and repair and business process outsourcing firms may operate beyond 8 p.m., provided they are already operating before the order was issued.
Persons exempted from curfew should present valid identification, and proof of rendering work or duty for the day.
A ban on the sale of liquor would also be imposed during the period.
Iloilo City focal person for Covid-19, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, reported that from January 1 to March 18, a total of 1,219 persons under monitoring (PUMs) were recorded, along with 27 patients under investigation (PUIs) undergoing home quarantine and six PUIs confined in various hospitals in the city.
Jeck Conlu, Public Safety, and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head, said free shuttle service would be provided for medical and essential services workers.
Buses with a fixed fare rate of PHP10, regardless of distance, and taxi units would be permitted to ply their routes.
Public utility jeepneys would be allowed to ply routes until Friday after it was observed that they were not practicing social distancing.
Only those that transport agricultural goods would be allowed entry into the city.
Tricycles may ply local roads and they should observe social distancing.
“We are doing this because we understand our responsibilities as the regional center for trade in the whole region and we will try to (meet) as much as possible all the requirements of all other provinces -- Capiz, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras -- aside from the needs of our province,” Treñas said.
Before issuing the order, he called for a coordination meeting with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection, PSTMO, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Office of Civil Defense, Department of Education, barangay tanod members, and representatives of the provinces in Panay and Guimaras.
The AFP and the PNP, together with punong barangays, members of barangay council, designated barangay tanod, Iloilo City Task Force on Moral Values, City Health Office, and PSTMO are tasked to strictly implement the order. (PNA)
