The legitimate farmers and fisherfolks in the city will be exempted from doing home quarantine to resume farming and fishing activities.
This was confirmed to Palawan Daily News (PDN) by Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, the city administrator and legal counsel, adhering to the advisory released on March 24 by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“We will obey that naman. We will just reiterate it or disseminate it doon sa mga pinapatungkulan [ng advisory]. Sana may data ‘yong aming City Agriculture [Office] kung sinu-sino ‘yong mga identified nila na farmers at fishermen,” said Pedrosa.
“I-fu-furnish siguro namin ‘yong PNP para kung meron mang dadaan sa checkpoint nila or pati ‘yong kapitan [ng mga barangay ay bibigyan din namin ng kopya ng listahan para] kung merong magpapaalam sa kanila na mangingisda o magsasaka ay mayroon silang reference,” said Pedrosa.
Pedrosa stated the burden on the side of the local government upon adherence to this advisory is how to identify who are those legitimate fisherfolks and farmers, yet said they will obtain a list from the City Agriculture Office (CAO).
This he noted is to not compromise the aim of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the city and that the provisions under the advisory may be applied only to those whose livelihood truly relates on ensuring sufficient food supply in the locality.
The advisory signed by the DILG secretary, Eduardo Año, was officially released on March 24, Tuesday, addressed to all provincial governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, punong barangay, DILG regional directors, BARMM minister for local government, and all others concerned.
The advisory reiterates the Department of Acriculture (DA) Memorandum Circular No. 09, series of 2020, which tackles the unrestricted movement of food supply during the state of public health emergency.
Part of the provisions emphasized under the advisory is that all farm workers, fisherfolks, and agribusiness personnel be exempted from quarantine on the condition: they do not exhibit Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms; the number of fisherfolks or farm personnel is at minimum; safety protocols are ensured; and that social distancing in the workplace is strictly observed.
Pedrosa said the copy of this DILG advisory was also forwarded to him online by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
He said that while allowing individuals from the agriculture sector go outside to continue their activities during ECQ has its downside, there is also an advantage to it that could be reaped.
“Iyong nakita ko namang kabutihan niyan ay ‘yong food supply ay baka ma-me-meet pa rin ‘yong demand. Kung meron mang magsasamantala diyan siguro only a few of them naman lang siguro pero sana wala,” said Pedrosa.
Virgilio Tagle, the DILG city and provincial director, in an interview with Palawan Daily News Friday said any local government unit may release an advisory in their level reiterating this DILG advisory.
He said the work of the agriculture sector is too significant toward food sufficiency that it should not be hampered even during ECQ.
“Kasi ‘yong mga fishermen at farmers, hindi mo puwedeng pigilan ang pag-ano (pag-papatuloy sa activities) niyan, kasi magugutom tayong lahat. Pangalawa ‘yong mga iyan naman ay hindi naman sila mga crowded. Kapag lumabas sila, magme-maintain pa rin sila ng physical distancing,” said Tagle.
“Exempted sila sa quarantine as long as walang signs [ng COVID-19] kasi malinaw ‘yan sa direktiba ng ating secretary (Eduardo Año) as long as walang signs huwag silang i-quarantine. Kailangan kasi sila,” he added.
Tagle said they in DILG are forwarding all advisories to the local government units (LGUs) even to the barangay level.
He said the LGUs may create their “own specific rules and policies” but must always align to the guidelines and directives coming from the National DILG.
Tagle said they already forwarded this advisory to Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
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