ILOCOS Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson has placed the cities of Candon and Vigan, and 11 other towns under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the province.
The towns under MECQ are Cabugao, Bantay, Sinait, Cervantes, Narvacan, Santa, Sta Maria, San Esteban, Sta. Lucia, Suyo and Tagudin.
The province of Ilocos Sur was previously under the least restrictive modified general community quarantine category.
The stricter stay home regulation, which was recommended to the Office of the Provincial Governor by the COVID-19 Task Force of Ilocos Sur, took effect on Wednesday and will be in place until April 21, Singson said.
Singson said COVID-19 cases in the city remain high despite interventions and strict implementation of health protocols.
Data from the provincial office of the Department of Health show it has recorded 763 cases, of which 317 remain active. Most of the cases recorded are from Candon and Vigan cities and in the 11 towns that were placed under MECQ.
With the implementation of the MECQ, police checkpoints will operate on a 24-hour basis.
In Marikina City, 2 persons were arrested for violating curfew hour regulations and for not following health protocols.
City police chief Col. Restituto Arcangel said Romualdo Baylon, 42, and Shirly Serrano, 39, both jobless and residents of Barangay Malanday, were accosted by barangay officials on Wednesday night for not wearing face masks and shields outside of their homes.
When the two were invited to the barangay hall, they allegedly refused to go with the barangay leaders and instead shouted and cursed at the officials and the police.
Aside from violating COVID-19 protocols, the two will also be charged with unjust vexation.
Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will open next week additional routes in Metro Manila and the provinces even if the enhanced community quarantine imposed over the NCR Plus is extended.
In virtual press briefings, LTFRB officer in charge and board member Zona Tamayo said 60 new routes would be opened for traditional public utility jeepneys and 190 routes for provincial buses entering Metro Manila.
Tamayo said the provincial routes will be subject to the approval of affected local government units.
With the new routes, the LTFRB said it will also allow 1,800 more PUJs and 2,600 provincial buses to operate. — With Christian Oineza and Myla Iglesias
