THE Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has placed Palawan under a state of calamity amid a spike in active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases after the province was placed under the least strict modified enhanced community quarantine.
Now that it is under a state of calamity, the provincial government can access its trust fund and quick response fund to contain the further spread of the coronavirus, according to the Palawan Public Information Office.
As of Tuesday, Palawan has recorded 2,035 confirmed COVID-19 cases — 1,343 have recovered, 659 are active cases and 33 have died.
In an interview with dzBB radio, Palawan PIO chief Winston Arzaga said COVID-19 cases in the province surged after the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allowed leisure trips from Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal to selected areas, including Palawan, until June 15.
“The first reason is… if you remember, the national IATF loosened restrictions and inbound travelers arrived in Puerto Princesa and other areas without quarantine,” Arzaga said.
“After this, cases suddenly rose… because there’s no quarantine… so they arrived in Puerto Princesa and then visited other tourist destinations,” he added.
Arzaga said the province recorded 100 to 200 cases prior to the easing of travel restrictions.
Due to the surge in cases, the local government has discouraged the public from going out or visiting tourists spots.
“Our LGUs are tightening their borders. Visiting is not encouraged, especially in El Nido, Coron, and San Vicente… it’s somewhat strict,” he said, referring to the province’s top three tourist destinations.
Meanwhile, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte mayor Rustico Estrella yesterday said he has placed the town under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) due to rising number of COVID-19 infections.
In an executive order dated June 1, Estrella said the MECQ, which commenced Tuesday, would last until June 15.
The town has 60 cases, of which 21 were found to be COVID-19 positives from May 17 to June 3.
“As of this date, there are 15 cases in Pintuyan, 14 of which are admitted at our municipal isolation facility and one is admitted at a private hospital in Tacloban City,” said Estrella in the executive order, adding there will be strict implementation of minimum public health standards in the town.
Estrella said residents aged below 18 and over 65 and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity and other health risks, and pregnant women are prohibited from leaving their homes unless for essential trips, such as obtaining essential goods and services, working in permitted industries, and taking part in activities allowed under the MECQ.
“Municipal checkpoint shall be strictly implemented to minimize the unnecessary movement of persons not allowed to go outside of residence and to monitor those coming from outside our municipality,” said Estrella.
He said non-residents will be required to show valid identification cards and proof of essential transactions before they will be allowed entry to the town.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now preparing charges against eight barangay chairmen for lax implementation of quarantine protocols, leading to super-spreader events in their jurisdictions.
Año said the eight will be charged based on the earlier instructions of President Duterte to arrest barangay leaders who are negligent in their duties and responsibilities.
“Abiding by the President’s directive, eight PBs (punong barangays) will be charged for failing to implement quarantine protocols leading to further COVID-19 transmissions in super spreader events,” said Año, adding: “This is a reminder to our barangay leaders that we are serious in our fight against this pandemic.”
He said the eight will be facing charges ranging from gross neglect of duty, negligence, serious misconduct, and violation of Republic Act No. 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act).
Año said the eight were found to be negligent in their duties in imposing quarantine protocols.
To be charged are Romeo Rivera of Barangay 171, District II, Caloocan City (Gubat sa Ciudad resort event); Ernan Perez of Barangay San Jose, Navotas City (operation of recreational and resort establishments); Facipico Jeronimo and Jaime Laurente of Barangays 181 and 182 of Gagalangin, Tondo, Manila (boxing matches); Marcial Lucas Palad of Barangay Matiktik in Norzagaray, Bulacan (Bakas River swimming); Jason Talipan and Jimmy Solano of Barangay Balabag and Barangay Sambiray, Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan (parties); and Jessica Cadungong of Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City (party).
“Based on the investigation of the DILG and PNP, there were COVID-19 cases recorded because of these activities. We cannot just let this slide because this might be emulated by other barangays,” Año said.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections yesterday announced the closure of its three Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in Davao City until the end of August.
“Physical closure of the Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in the first, second, and third Districts of Davao City until August 31, 2021,” said the Comelec in Executive Order No. 31-A-2021.
The poll body said the local government unit has directed the suspension of all face-to-face government activities.
The OCTA Research Team bared on Tuesday that Davao City has already overtaken Quezon City as the top source of new COVID-19 cases. The city placed number one after seeing an average of daily new cases of 213 during the period of June 1 to 7. — With Gerard Naval
