TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The city government crafted the guidelines governing local stranded individuals (LSIs) entering the city to ensure the gains of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that was downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ) will not be derailed and for the city to sustain its status as free from the Corona Virus Disease (COVID.
Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero issued Executive Order No. 41, series of 2020, stating, ,among others, that LSIs must secure an authority to travel from the host local government unit, Police Regional Office (PRO) or regional inter-agency task force from the place of origin.
Further, LSIs must secure medical or health certificate to be issued by the provincial health office, city health office or the municipal health office from the releasing local government unit.
He added that LSIs must also secure a letter of acceptance from the city through a written request to the city government that will be presented by a member of the immediate family or parents in case the LSI is a minor.
The city chief executive underscored the aforesaid guidelines and protocols are needed to effectively and efficiently promote a systematic and smooth travel for the said individuals who are bonafide residents of the city’s barangays without compromising the highest degree of security and safety measures against the deadly virus.
Earlier, the Cordillera regional inter-agency task force for the management of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) issued an unnumbered memorandum provided for the guidelines and protocols for LSIs entering the region.
He also issued Executive Order No. 39, series of 2020, that prescribed the guidelines for incoming travelers who are residents of the city.
Under the related order, all home-bound Tabukenos should undergo de-contamination procedures at the border checkpoints upon arrival; they shall be allowed entry if they present a travel pass and medical certificate from the place of origin; all Tabukenos entering the city shall be triaged or assessed at the checkpoint by the assigned medical doctor; persons under monitoring will be referred to their respective barangay isolation units for a mandatory 14-day quarantine and monitoring; persons under investigation, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) without negative swab or rapid test result and individuals with co-morbidities shall be referred for rapid testing at the city holding area; all persons under investigation will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at the city isolation unit; all returning OFWs with travel pass, quarantine certificate from OWWA or negative swab test or rapid test shall be directed for isolation in their respective barangay isolation units only and all entrance coming to the city from an area with no confirmed COVID case may opt to finish their quarantine in their residences, provided, it will pass the requirements set by the local health authorities while all travelers coming from areas with confirmed COVID cases must undergo quarantine at their respective barangay isolation units.
He urged travelers and LSIs to strictly adhere to the prescribed guidelines to ensure that the city will remain COVID free for the health and safety of the people.
By Hent