Municipality of Socorro
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 27
Series of 2020
“AN ORDER IMPOSING MEASURES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) DURING THE 2021 ANNUAL TOWN FIESTA OF SOCORRO, SURIGAO DEL NORTE EFFECTIVE 12:01 AM OF THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021 UNTIL 12:01 AM OF MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021.”
WHEREAS, the World Health Organization (WHO) considers an event as “mass gathering” if the number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the community where it takes place. Further, the WHO emphasized that if the event takes place over several days in a small island state where the capacity of the health system is quite limited then even an event with just a few thousand participants could place a big strain on the health system and then be considered a “mass gathering” event;
WHEREAS, the tradition of celebrating annual fiesta is being adhered to by Filipinos in rural areas and some cities in the Philippines, including the island town of Socorro, in honor of their patron saints for thanksgiving for blessings bestowed upon the people and the area and are always causes for mass gatherings and celebrations that comes with food;
WHEREAS, India grapples with a devastating second wave of the coronavirus, when millions of devotees have celebrated the Kumbh Mela Festival on April 10-14, 2021 and descended on the banks of the Ganges river in the northern city of Haridwar to take a dip in the water as Hindus believe the river is holy and taking a dip in it will cleanse them of their sins and bring salvation;
WHEREAS, On May 2, 2021, Dr. Allen B. Macaraeg, Municipal Health Officer of this island town had issued Advisory 4, Series of 2021 with the subject “Advisory on the Observance of Fiesta and Other Social Gatherings.”
WHEREAS, there is the need to impose measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the 2021 Socorro Annual Town Fiesta Celebration in Socorro, Surigao del Norte.
NOW THEREFORE, I, FELIZARDO A. GALANIDA, Municipal Mayor of Socorro, Surigao del Norte, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby Order as follows:
Section 1. Imposition of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 During the 2021 Socorro Annual Town Fiesta Celebration. There are hereby imposed measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the 2021 Socorro Annual Town Fiesta Celebration in Socorro, Surigao del Norte effective 12:01 o’clock in the morning of Thursday, June 17, 2021 until 12:01 AM of Monday, June 21, 2021.
Section 2. Policies, Protocols and Guidelines. All residents of the island municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte, are hereby directed to strictly obey, follow and abide by the policies and protocols and guidelines as follows:
Section 2.01. Minimum Public Health Standards. Minimum Public Health Standards, shall strictly be complied with at all times, involving:
- Social distancing of at least one (1) meter per person;
- Mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields while outside of residence.
- Frequent hand washing/disinfection.
Section 2.02. Regulation on Entry of Non-Residents. To prevent the occurrence of mass gatherings, non-residents of the municipality shall be required to present a negative RTPCR Test result taken within 48 hours upon entry into the island town.
Section 2.03. Temporary Liquor, Gambling and Public Videoke Ban. The selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, dispensing, transporting for individual consumption of liquor, alcoholic beverages, such as whisky, brandy, vodka, rum, cocktail, wine, beer, tuba, laksoy, and such other beverages that may cause intoxication shall be prohibited in the municipality.
Provided, that all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited in the island town.
Provided, further, that operation of public videoke bars are not allowed.
Section 2.04. Prohibition on Games and Amusements. Games and amusement that will draw large crowd, which include but not limited to, contact sports (basketball and volleyball tournaments, boxing and the like), including parades, pageant, disco are not allowed.
Section 2.05. Religious Mass. The holding of religious mass shall be governed by the quarantine regulations prevailing in the municipality during the fiesta celebration such as 50% of venue capacity during MECQ, etc..
Section 2.06. Acceptance of Residential Guests. The acceptance of guests into residential units in the poblacion barangays of Rizal, Navarro and Taruc shall be governed by the quarantine regulations prevailing in the municipality during the fiesta celebration such as 50% of receiving area capacity during MECQ, etc..
Section 2.07. Diana. Diana shall be allowed during the dawn of June 19, 2021 only. Band visitation to residential units is prohibited as it could attract crowds.
Section 2.08. Religious Processions. Processions of patron saint is strictly regulated such that social distancing during the conduct of the religious activity must be observed. Parishioners are not allowed to re-enter the church after the procession.
Section 2.09. Establishment of Makeshift Flea Markets. Newly-installed Ukay-ukay, food strips and the like are not allowed.
Section 3. Sanctions and Penalties. Any violation or infraction of the lawful directives relative to this Order shall be dealt with in accordance with Municipal Ordinance No. 03-2020 and other existing laws.
Section 4. Enforcement. The Punong Barangays, Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies shall implement the provisions of this order.
Section 5. Separability Clause. If any Section or part of this Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 6. Repealing Clause. All Orders, rules and regulations, other issuances or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 7. Effectivity. This Order takes effect on 12:01 AM, Thursday, June 17, 2021 until 12:01 AM, Monday, June 21, 2021.
Done in the Municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte, this 31st day of May in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty One.
FELIZARDO A. GALANIDA
Municipal Mayor
(RPN DXKS Surigao via Edelito Titing Sangco’s original post)