BACOLOD. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson sign Sunday, May 31, Executive Order 20-25 Series of 2020, placing the entire province of Negros Occidental under modified general community quarantine starting today, June 1, 2020. (Capitol PIO) BACOLOD City and Negros Occidental will impose the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting today, June 1.
Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), said they will follow the guidelines after the national IATF issued Resolution 40 that beginning June 1, the low-risk provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and Independent Component Cities (ICCs), shall be placed under MGCQ until June 15, 2020. He said that under the MGCQ, those business establishments that were not allowed to operate during the general community quarantine (GCQ) can operate by June 1, like the coffee shops, saloon, restaurants dine-in, and movie theater, among others, provided that they will operate with 50 percent manpower and seating capacity. He added they are still waiting for the guidelines for the religious gatherings, but for now, they will follow the maximum of 10 participants. Familiaran noted that Mayor Evelio Leonardia will issue an executive order for the implementation of MGCQ. "During the MGCQ, the city will strictly enforce the preventive measures against Covid-19 like the wearing of mask, social distancing, and curfew, among others. We are asking the cooperation of everybody to follow the health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus," Familiaran said. He said the City Council already approved the ordinance for the strict implementation of curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., mandatory wearing of face mask, and social distancing of at least one meter with penalties and fine. For Western Visayas, the areas that were placed under MGCQ from June 1 to 15 include Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City. For Eastern Visayas, under MGCQ are Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City. By Merlinda Pedrosa
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BACOLOD City – Citing safety and health concerns of students and school personnel amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, local officials in this capital city and in Negros Occidental seek to postpone the opening of the school year slated in August. Yesterday, the city council passed a resolution urging the Department of Education (DepEd) through its chief Secretary Leonor Briones to defer the opening of classes of schools under its jurisdiction beyond the scheduled date. Councilor Renecito Novero, author of the resolution, said DepEd should avoid classes which practice face-to-face scheme of instruction until the threat of COVID-19 considerably subsides. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, head of the City Inter-Agency Task Force COVID-19 appealed to the Deped to consider online learning in case they want to open the classes. “Better be safe than sorry,” Familiaran stressed. For his part, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, said he is against DepEd’s move to resume classes in August this year. In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Lacson said he would prefer that the opening of classes be postponed for at least a year until a vaccine or cure against the coronavirus disease or Covid-19 is widely available. “For me, one year of rest is not so bad. At least, it is safer by then, hopefully there is already a vaccine and cure,” Lacson said. He further added everyone should always practice caution and play it safe in order to avoid contracting the virus. Based on the DepEd’s proposal, school year 2020-2021 was supposed to begin on Aug. 24. Classes may be conducted both physically and virtually depending on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal also included the end of the school year on April 30, 2021, along with the cancellation of the Palarong Pambansa and Schools Press Conference./PN BACOLOD CITY – Please follow the rules.
This was the appeal of Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia to the public as the city transitioned to general community quarantine (GCQ) on Saturday, May 16. The GCQ here began with overloaded tricycles and pedicabs; residents gathering in barangays, some without masks; more cars on the streets; and people at shopping malls as checkpoints within the city were taken down. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has placed Bacolod City and Negros Occidental under GCQ, allowing the gradual reopening of offices, business establishments and transportation services. Leonardia said the transition, however, does not mean that the threat of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was gone. “The danger of COVID-19 is still here. We cannot let our guard down,” the mayor said. Leonardia urged the public to observe basic health protocols like wearing of masks and physical distancing. “We expect the business owners, including the malls, to implement the COVID-19 health protocols. We need the cooperation of everybody,” he said. While he suspended the use of home quarantine passes and Sunday lockdowns, Leonardia said there was a possibility that he would reimplement these measures, depending on what happens in the coming days. “It is an option, but we want to avoid it if possible,” he said. Leonardia said jeepneys could resume operation at 50 percent capacity, and must put barriers or dividers to protect the public. Taxis are allowed to operate with two passengers in the back seat and one in the front seat, provided there is a barrier between the driver and the front seat passenger. Tricycles and pedicabs, on the other hand, should only have one passenger. Leonardia said motorcycle backriders were still not allowed as a general rule because of the physical distancing measures. However, he said it would be up to the Philippine National Police to make “on the spot” decisions especially during emergency cases. Bacolod City Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran called on barangay officials and the police to ensure the implementation of the rules set in the mayor’s executive order placing Negros Occidental under GCQ. “Let’s hope and pray that there are no new COVID-19 cases, and this will depend on the compliance by the public,” he said. “If COVID-19 cases emerge, we will have to go back to enhanced community quarantine and all of us will suffer again. So let’s all practice self-discipline,” he added. To report violations of health protocols against COVID-19 in Bacolod City, the public can call the police hotlines through 0961-593-8086 (Smart) and 0915-567-0411 (Globe). By Carla Gomez BACOLOD City – In this city’s “new normal”, all people would be wearing facemasks in public, and observe social distancing. There is no way for anyone to skirt these when the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passes an ordinance mandating the practices, according to Councilor Archie Baribar, main proponent. Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of the city government’s inter-agency task force against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), confirmed that the city council wanted to institutionalize the wearing of facemasks and social distancing in public as health safety precautions. People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales, thus wearing facemasks and social distancing are crucial. The proposed ordinance was included in the agenda of yesterday’s SP session. Baribar hoped for a speedy deliberation and approval of the measure. Under the proposed ordinance, violators would be made to pay an administrative fine of P500 and eight hours of community service in the barangays where they reside. On the other hand, erring non-Bacolod residents would have to pay a fine of P1,000; no more community service. Any law enforcement agency of the government can apprehend violators, according to Baribar. The move to institutionalize social distancing and the wearing facemasks in public came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte stated on Tuesday that these two practices must be accepted as the “new normal” until a vaccine against COVID-19) becomes available. In a taped public address aired over state-run PTV-4, Duterte made this reminder stressing the importance of flattening the curve or slowing down the rate of COVID-19 infections in the country. “The social distancing. Ito ‘yung new life until such time na meron nang vaccine. Sundin lang ninyo ‘yan importante masyado,” he said. Duterte also reminded the public to wear facemasks to avoid being accosted by the police. The wearing of facemasks is mandatory under the government’s quarantine protocols. “Do not go out of your house without a mask. That is a must. Must comply. Tatapikin ka ng pulis. Hindi ka naman hulihin pero nakakahiya sabihin sa’yo, ‘Adre, tumabi ka muna,” he said. He also warned that the Philippines could not afford to have a “second” and “third” wave of COVID-19 infections./PN By Mae Singuay BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran believes it is “best time” for the revival of the Negros Island Region amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
This move will hasten measures and bolster the fight of the two provinces – Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental – against the fast-spreading illness, according to the city official. He pointed out that the current crisis has exposed the need for regional offices for the two negros provinces. Familiaran, who also chairs the city’s Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19 said “having regional offices would make it easier for local government units to follow up on their concerns since the offices will have their own funding.” He even pointed out that in the current regional setup; Negros and Bacolod are the last provinces to receive aid, even when it comes to equipment and supplies needed to combat COVID-19, which is being forwarded by the national government. The NIR was created on May 29, 2015 after then-President Benigno Aquino III signed an executive order for the region’s creation. However, the region was dissolved by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 after then-Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno quoted the cost of the region’s retention at P19 billion./PN By Mae Singuay |
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