Davao Oriental: The province of Davao Oriental is downgrading to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) starting April 27 as Provincial Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has lifted Enhanced Community Quarantine(ECQ) through Executive Order No.17, following national guidelines.
The executive order mandates modified policies on travel and on business operations but Governor Dayanghirang has remained firm on home quarantine pass (HQP), wearing of facemask, and on physical distancing, among other heath measures to keep the province remain shielded against spread of infectious COVID-19.
Governor Dayanghirang made his GCQ priorities known under Section 1 General Guidelines of E.O. 17 which foremost, directs al Mayors “to strictly implement the use of home quarantine pass in their respective city and municipal LGUs”.
The EO specifies in Section 1 that HQP has to be visibly worn when moving outside homes to buy basic necessities, and to access medical services, otherwise, the individual would become subject to apprehension by the Philippine National Police and or force multipliers.
All business establishments are required to “strictly enforce” a “No HQP, No Transaction” policy otherwise, they would be penalized if found not following such order of the provincial government as specified in EO 17.
Governor made it clear in his EO that a barangay certification should not be issued and used instead of the HQP.
While only certain individual with HQP per family is allowed to come out home to transact essential and emergency needs, “persons aged 20 years old and below, and those who are 60 years old and above, pregnant mothers and those with existing comorbidities are advised to stay home”.
The Governor has tasked the Armed Forces of the Philippine and or the Philippine National Police together with the force multipliers at the barangay level to help monitor compliance on HQP.
Meanwhile, Dayanghirang eases curfew hours from previous 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the ECQ to 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as the province moves status to GCQ.
However, It continues to suspend classes and all school activities in both public and private schools across all levels , “until further notice.”
It still prohibits mass gathers including religious gatherings, but it is encouraging residents to pray in their homes and “observe the twelve o’clock noon Moments of Prayers” as mandated by Executive Order No. 14 that Dayanghirang has issued to ask for divine intervention amidst COVID-19 crisis.
Dayanghirang has made a specific provision under General Guidelines section 1.6, the Prohibition of Cockfighting and other forms of gambling which according to the EO, are strictly prohibited and anyone caught “shall be prosecuted under pertinent laws and regulations”.
On Health-related guidelines, EO 17 has made mandatory the wearing of facemask when going out, and physical distancing of two meters is also ordered to be “continuously observed in public places” when doing government and business transactions.
Dayanghirang has made “Spitting in Public” as strictly prohibited and encourages LGUs to pass an ordinance regarding this prohibition.
Liquor ban remains imposed but the EO adds three more types of business establishments to operate during GCQ period, specifically mentioning “office and school supply shops, cellphone repair shops and general merchandise stores”.
Publc transport terminals in Davao Oriental will remain closed as Dayanghirang thru EO 17 still prohibits entry of public utility vehicles and any mode of mass public transportation.
Private vehicles may enter Davao Oriental provided they are not from Davao City and that their intention is not for leisure (Section 4.3)
Meanwhile, EO 17 mandates the Creation of Contact Tracing Teams in LGUs (section 2.2) , Other COVID Case Detection and Management Guidelines (2.3), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program, and Guidelines for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (Section 3.4) which are added interventions against COVID-19 even as Davao Oriental observes a downgraded status from ECQ to GCQ. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)