MEASURES VS. COVID-19. The Leyte provincial board during their session on March 10, 2020. The Leyte provincial board passed ordinances on March 27, 2020 supporting the central government’s effort to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Vice Governor Carlo Loreto)
TACLOBAN CITY -- The Leyte provincial board has passed ordinances supporting the central government’s effort to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In an interview Monday, Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said provincial legislators approved on Friday the anti-hoarding and anti-panic buying ordinance, the social and physical distancing ordinance, and the electronic sessions of Leyte ordinance.
Loreto said the session was made possible through electronic means amid the limited number of physically present board members.
The social distancing ordinance requires business establishments, government offices, village halls, hospitals, markets, public terminals, and all other operating institutions and offices to adopt and implement stringent social distancing and other personal protective precautionary measures to prevent the Covid-19 transmission.
“We passed the anti-hoarding and anti-panic buying ordinance to protect residents of the Leyte province against possible abuses of persons and business establishment by unreasonable hoarding supplies of basic and prime commodities, hygiene products, face masks, and personal protective equipment,” Loreto said.
Such legislation is in harmony with the anti-hoarding and anti-panic buying memorandum issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.
“These measures seek to provide protection to consumers and ensure orderly and equitable sale by the business establishment to ensure availability of basic necessities and prime commodities during emergency situations, health crises, and state of calamity,” Loreto said.
The provincial board deliberated the electronic sessions of Leyte ordinance even before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its passage is timely since health authorities strongly discourage gatherings, he said.
“It is necessary for us to innovate by allowing virtual attendance and participation of members and officials of the provincial board, and local councils in towns and cities who are unable to physically attend or vote in person in their respective sessions through video conference,” he added.
Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla issued Executive Order No. 03-2020-03 placing the entire province under “general community quarantine” and enhancing the implementation of mandatory precautionary measures against Covid-19.
Under the declaration, people who are coming from other provinces, especially from places with positive Covid-19 cases, are banned from entering Leyte province.
The directive took effect on March 18 and will end on April 17. (PNA)
