ILOILO CITY – The province of Iloilo will not appeal the extension of its modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status for another 15 days that will take effect on July 1.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., in a media interview on Tuesday, said that while the provincial government has an option to appeal, it will not seek for a reconsideration.
“We will not appeal. We will accept that with some adjustments,” he said, adding that he will be issuing an executive order to finalize the guidelines for the extension of the MECQ.
He added that he will be accommodating the suggestion of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prohibit dine-in in restaurants.
“Let us maximize the protocols,” he said, adding that based on his observation following his inspection, the compliance to protocols such as putting up barriers and seating arrangement, is weak.
The governor added that the municipal quarantine that was implemented in the province since June 4, 2021 to limit non-essential travels in the province will no longer be extended and a travel pass will no longer be required for those traveling within the province after June 30.
“That will have to expire also because that is a short-term measure,” he said.
He added that the province will concentrate on the observance of minimum public health standards (MPHS) in workplaces, which are the source of transmission and the implementation of reverse isolation whereby vulnerable persons, such as those 60 years old and above; pregnant women; and those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks shall be isolated at the household level.
Reverse isolation is also encouraged for residents of the province who visit health care facilities for treatment or even if serving as a companion; those who go out of their houses on regular basis for work, business, or other allowed activities.
The governor on June 25 already issued a memorandum circular for all local task forces in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) BaCod-PnB-BET (Patrulya ng Bayan-Barangay Enforcement Team) to conduct information operations down to the barangay level on the observance of the MPHS in workplaces, establishments, and offices.
Aside from the province, the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease also placed Iloilo City under MECQ.
However, in a statement released Tuesday, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said that the local government will appeal for general community quarantine (GCQ) status but with strict observance of health protocols.
“We appeal for GCQ but with heightened protocols. The reason is for businesses to slowly start to recover but still following safety standards,” he said in a press statement released by the Public Information Office (PIO). He added that he is set to send a letter to the IATF.
Meantime, the rest of the provinces in the region and Bacolod City will be under GCQ as per the national IATF
Source: Philippines News Agency