Davao City – New provisions on land, air, and sea travel were included in Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s Executive Order (E.O.) 12-A, known as “An Order Providing For Updated COVID-19 Protocols In Davao City.”
Duterte signed E.O. 12-A on March 24 and it will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, March 26.
She reiterated the need “to provide a uniform guide for residents to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.”
Section 11 of the E.O. 12-A Series of 2021, which adopts the IATF Resolution No. 101 Series of 2021, added the following provisions from the first issued E.O. 12 signed by the mayor on March 12:
* RT-PCR testing for all arriving travelers in the Davao International Airport (DIA) shall be governed by Davao City Ordinance No. 0477-21 Series of 2021 entitled, “An Order Providing For Mandatory Testing Prior To Entry Into Davao City Via The Davao International Airport.”
* The guide for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), including seamen shall be those that may be mandated by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
* All land travelers from the “NCR plus” area and the entire island of Cebu, including those who landed in other airports of Mindanao from these areas are required to undergo RT-PCR testing if they don’t have COVID-19 negative test result taken within 24 to 72 hours of their trip to Davao City.
* Travelers who are permanently returning to the city are mandated to conduct self-quarantine for 14 days.
However, Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs) and other travelers staying in the city for work or business need not undergo quarantine but they should stay in hotels, dorms, and similar establishments and not in the houses of Davao City residents.
The new provisions are on top of the general requirements for all travelers, regardless of the mode of transportation, which include passing the symptom screening upon arrival where travelers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be held for testing in a city government facility; and presenting a valid Safe Davao QR (DQR) as no other document or identification shall be required for entry to Davao City. The DQR link for individuals is https://profiles.safe-davao.
Mayor Duterte earlier assured during her Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) Special Hour program that the updated COVID-19 protocols being implemented in the city are in sync with the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
She also ordered the mandatory observance of minimum public health standards (MPHS) in all public places, such as the use of face masks covering the nose and mouth; physical distancing of not less than one meter; and availability of a handwashing area with soap and water or alcohol.
E.O. 12-A also reiterates Executive Order No. 65-A, Series of 2020, which mandates the use of face shields.
Persons below 15 years old and those 65-above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, are also mandated to remain in their homes, except when indispensable (IATF Resolution No. 79, Series of 2020, and Section 4 of the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines dated February 11, 2021) under the following circumstances:
- obtaining goods and essential services;
- work or business in permitted industries and offices;
- attending essential meetings and social events;
- conducting non-contact sports and exercise, and
- essential travel including attending burial, going to the doctor, and other equally important activities.
Access all the provisions of E.O. 12-A Series of 2021 here https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/transparency/executive-orders/2021-2/.
(City Information Office | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)
