FOLLOW NAT’L GUIDELINES. The Western Visayas Regional Task Force Covid-19 on May 20, 2020 approves a resolution reminding local government units to align their policies with the guidelines set by the national task force. The regional task force said they hope that LGUs would comply so they would no longer reach a point when they have to be issued show-cause orders. (Photo courtesy of OCD Western Visayas)
ILOILO CITY – The Western Visayas Task Force Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) has urged local government units to align their policies in curbing the spread of the virus with the guidelines set by the national task force.
In a phone interview on Thursday, regional task force spokesperson, lawyer Roy Villa, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that a resolution was passed on May 20 reminding local chief executives “to comply, make changes if necessary to be in sync with the omnibus guidelines issued by the national task force” concerning their executive orders (EOs) issued after the region shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ) on May 16.
“We are requesting them to align with the national guidelines because that is what the law provides,” Villa said, noting that some provisions of LGU EOs are “not in agreement” with the national guidelines.
He cited a few unaligned rules being asked by LGUs, such as requiring a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test before a non-resident individual can enter a certain province, which is difficult to comply with; undergoing a 14-day quarantine for workers when entering another border; and allowing motorcycle back-riders.
EO 118, signed by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on May 15, allowed only one back-rider for motorcycles who is a family member or in the same household as the driver.
They should also wear crash helmets, face masks, and gloves and observe proper disinfection procedures before and after the trip.
“We saw from our situation in the province that it is a very important mode of transportation,” Villa said.
In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued EO 75-B on May 19 prohibiting back-riding for motorcycles.
The order amended EO 75, also known as the “General Guidelines for the Graduated and Phased Revitalization of the Local Economy of Iloilo City”, particularly section 10 (E) that allows back-riding.
Treñas, before the issuance of the amended order, wrote an appeal to the national task force seeking “reconsideration of the policy of disallowing back-riders in motorcycles.”
The province of Antique also appealed to the Department of Transportation to allow back-riders as the motorcycle is the major mode of transportation in the province.
Villa said at the regional level, they only have to see to it that local authorities abide by the guidelines set by the national government without prejudice to whatever action would be taken by the national task force regarding their appeal.
He said the task force hopes they would no longer have to see a scenario where a show-cause order would be issued because in the fight against Covid-19, “we have to act together.”
“We are acting more proactive and constructive rather than punitive,” Villa said. (PNA)
