Davao del Sur: The local government of Digos City still imposes restrictions in the movement of vulnerable sectors in the city despite the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) which commenced on June 1.
Under the city’s MGCQ guidelines, persons below 19 years old and 60 years old and above, those with health risk conditions and pregnant women, are still not allowed to go out except when obtaining essential goods and services and for work reason.
The shifting from GCQ to MGCQ took effect in Digos City via Executive Order No. 35, Series of 2020 which will be enforced until June 15, 2020.
The MGCQ guidelines also continue to require the use of quarantine and work passes, and that no persons shall be allowed to enter the city public market, department stores, supermarkets, and other similar establishments without the quarantine pass.
Mayor Josef Cagas explained that not all MGCQ guidelines set by the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will be followed, due to the sudden surge of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported last week which involve eight employees of the Digos City-based Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital.
Under the national IATF MGCQ guidelines, all persons regardless of age are allowed to go outside their residences.
In the City Information of Digos Facebook page live announcement today (June 2), Cagas said that these restrictions will remain, pending the release of the confirmatory results of the 53 COVID-19 suspects reported by the City Health Office of Digos City as of yesterday.
The mayor also mentioned that businesses such as “ukay-ukay” selling, videoke bars, pisonet internet shops and beach resorts are also still not allowed to resume operations.
He asked for a period of seven days to study on how the “ukay-ukay”, videoke bars, pisonet internet shops and beach resorts can operate under the given situation.
Cagas appealed for his constituents’ understanding and cooperation, and he assured that the MGCQ guidelines will be recalibrated depending on the outcome of the confirmatory results.
Cagas urged the public to continue to be vigilant, uphold discipline and to always be careful while the city has embarked on a more relaxed quarantine and is gearing towards a “new normal” living.
Under the MGCQ, mass gatherings such as religious activities, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, community assemblies, and non-essential work gatherings are now allowed, provided that attendees shall be limited to fifty per cent of the venue or seating capacity and minimum health standards shall be observed.
Cagas reminded the city residents to practice the minimum health standards at all times and wherever they are, such as wearing of face masks, washing of hands, bringing of alcohol or hand sanitizer, and observing at least 1.5 meters distance.
As to the public transportation, the odd-even scheme for tricycle-for-hire, two-passenger scheme and single back ride policy remain in effect in the city.
The operation of buses, vans and jeepneys are governed by the guidelines and policies of the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Further, the MGCQ guidelines now allow the selling of intoxicating liquors, but consumption of liquor is only allowed inside the home with a maximum of three people, provided that they belong to the same house.
The curfew policy in Digos City prohibits the people to go outside of their houses starting 9:00pm until 5:00am, except for exempted sectors as set in the guidelines.
The mayor also cited that operations of night markets are still suspended until further notice.
“Pasalamat sa pagsuporta, pagtabang ug pag-sinabtanay nga mapatuman ang mga kamanduan alang sa atong kasiguruhan. Sa kinatibuk-an, hapsay ra kining napatuman,” Cagas stated. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)