DUMAGUETE CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- The Negros Oriental governor welcomed the downgrading of the province’s COVID-19 community quarantine status but noted this would impose a bigger challenge to the local government units here.
“Lami man paminawon tungod kay gipakanaog ug hukom bilang Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) meaning we are doing well in so far as addressing COVID-19 in the province of Negros Oriental (It’s good to hear that we are downgraded to MGCQ. This means we are doing well in as far as addressing COVID-19 in the province of Negros Oriental),” Degamo told reporters in a recent press conference in Pamplona town.
“But kini, para nako dako kaayo ning challenge bilang gobernador, dako pod ning challenge sa provincial task force, dako pod ning challenge sa mga mayor. Kay dili man nato pwede luagan kay ang vaccine wala pa man nato makit-i. For as long as vaccine wala pa dire o ang tambal wala pa dire magpadayon gyud ang hulga sa COVID-19 (However, this poses a big challenge to me as your governor, to the provincial task force, and all other mayors here because we still can’t loosen up our measures because there is still no vaccine for this. Until such time there is a vaccine or a cure to this, the threat of COVID-19 still remains),” Degamo added.
The governor cited that under MGCQ, commercial domestic flights and sea travel bound for Negros Oriental will resume and this is expected to bring an influx of people coming to the province.
“This time, tungod kay magpasulod naman ta ug tawo tungod kay duna naman tay regular flights, duna naman tay regular trip sa barko, kinahanglan ta ug effort pag-protect sa 1.5 million nga nabilin sa atoang probinsiya. This is a big challenge to me and to all of us (This time, since a lot of people are expected to come here with the resumption of flights and sea trips, we need to give more effort in protecting the 1.5 million residents living in the province. This is a big challenge to me and to all of us),” Degamo stressed.
The National Inter-Agency Task Force-Emerging Infectious Diseases (NIATF-EID) placed Negros Oriental under MGCQ since July 1.
On July 3, Degamo had a consultative meeting with the mayors where they discussed the appropriate guidelines for individuals coming to Negros Oriental via sea or air travel to ensure that those entering the province are cleared of the COVID-19 infection.
Degamo emphasized tje need to craft specific guidelines to regulate the entry of people coming in the province.
Capitol Public Information Officer and Provincial IATF-EID Public Information Committee Chair Bimbo Miraflor reported that all mayors agreed for the gradual opening of the airport and seaport in Dumaguete City for regular flights and sea trips provided that passengers have secured the following requirements: acceptance letter from their Local Government Unit (LGU) in Negros Oriental, two negative RT-PCR (swab tests) results, confirmed plane or ship tickets, medical clearance, and authority to travel.
In addition, they must also under 14-day quarantine in their quarantine facility upon their arrival.
Degamo noted that while the provincial IATF adopts the guidelines from the national level, it is also allowed to put in place measures to ensure the welfare of its constituents.
Other highlights of the consultative meeting include the allocation of P1 million assistance for LGUs for their LSIs, guidelines on the emergency cases referred by other provinces, extension on the use of school as quarantine facilities, regulating of tourism-related activities in cities and municipalities, and use of LGU booths as waiting area for LSIs or ROFs who are reactive in rapid test and waiting for result of swab test.
Meanwhile, Degamo also confirmed that the province’s borders will still be closed, curfew hours will still be imposed, the use of Easy Access Pass (EAP) when going to Dumaguete City will continue, and liquor ban is still in effect even in MGCQ. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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