On enhanced community quarantine: City Government appeals to Puerto Princesans to cooperate

The City Government has appealed to the public Tuesday, March 17, to religiously follow the enhanced community quarantine in Puerto Princesa.

Mayor Lucilo Bayron in a video released by the City Information Department on its official Facebook page Monday said this is in line with the directive given by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening.

“Pinapaabot natin sa lahat ng mamamayan na ang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa ay kasama, kasali sa enhanced community quarantine na inanunsyo ng ating pangulo kagabi. [Ito ay] dinescribe at ipinaliwanag ng inter-agency task force on COVID 2019 na mga cabinet secretaries,” said Bayron.

“Kunin ko [na] ang pagkakataong ito na mag-apila sa lahat ng mamamayan ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa na sundin natin ang mga patakaran at mga regulasyon tungkol sa enhanced quarantine nang buong kusa at buong loob. Mahalaga na ang bawat isa sa atin ay susunod dito dahil sa lahat ng paraan ay gawin natin na hindi makapasok itong COVID-19 sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa,” he added.

Bayron said there are 10 persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 in the city and around 300 persons under monitoring (PUM) as of the press time.

Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, the city administrator and legal counsel on another video released by the City Information Department on its official Facebook page Tuesday explained this enhanced quarantine in Puerto Princesa.

Pedrosa said included in this enhanced community quarantine are the suspension of classes in all levels from March 17 to April 13, 2020.

He said mass gatherings are also prohibited and strict home quarantine shall be observed.

“So limited po ang movement ng ating mga kababayan dito sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa with few exceptions [katulad ng] bibili ng gamot, bibili ng pagkain, at sa tamang oras,” said Pedrosa.

He added mass transport system is also not allowed and work from home arrangement is being implemented in the city government, excluding only those who work in the frontline services.

However, Pedrosa said there is a skeletal work force that remains present at the City Hall.

Pedrosa also noted that private establishments are temporarily prohibited from operating, except for their supermarket and pharmacy departments.

Pedrosa further stated that land, air, and sea travels were also restricted since March 14 and are currently being modified.

“Ang exceptions po diyan ay ‘yong ating mga military missions. Iyong mga inbound passengers, ‘yong mga papasok, ibig-sabihin in transit [ay] puwede pa po nating tanggapin kung sila ay nasa paglalayag na pero subject to quarantine,” said Pedrosa.

He also noted that the City Government will extend necessary assistance to the marginalized sector who will be the most affected by this directive.