This Week in Northern Luzon (May 30 to June 5, 2020)

In a social media post, Baguio City has released the list of updated guidelines and needed documents for all the returning residents of the province. The guidelines apply to all residents who were stranded outside of Baguio during the ECQ, workers and employees of establishments in Baguio that were temporarily closed due to ECQ, and residents in Baguio who must leave the city due to essential travel. Documents such as medical and clearance certificates must be secured, and each person must follow a process before he/she is allowed to leave/return to the city. The complete list of needed documents and step-by-step processes is available in the City of Baguio’s Public Information Office Facebook page. [1 & 2]

Last May 21, 2020, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong made it clear that buses are still not allowed to travel in and out of Baguio City. He mentioned that a bus full of passengers, especially those coming from areas under ECQ, will be difficult to manage. Only 10% of public utility vehicles were deployed in the city due to the strict measures being implemented by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. [3]

Ilocos Norte’s local government has provided a “Libre a Pagluganan” (free ride) jeepneys to help transport healthcare workers, non-medical frontliners, and medical patients. “Libre a Pagluganan” was initially launched last March 22 with only 9 jeepneys. Now, a total of 15 jeepneys have been deployed at selected pick-up and drop off points. The drivers hired for the free ride service receive daily fuel subsidy and a salary of PhP340. The free ride service has successfully carried 5,663 frontliners and 275 medical patients. [4]

The local government unit of La Trinidad, Benguet prohibited the sale, transfer, and entry of pork from the following African Swine Fever or ASF-affected barangays: Barangay Bahong, Lubas, Pico, Puguis, and Wangal. After reports about the resurgence of ASF cases in town circulated, Mayor Salda issued the order immediately while the Office of Municipal Agriculturist conducted an examination and verification in the said areas. African Swine Fever is a severe viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. [5]

Now that Baguio City is under general community quarantine, more establishments were allowed to reopen. These businesses are considered ready and have successfully complied with the GCQ guidelines. Below are their following schedules:

1. Flower and landscape supply shops – alternate Monday to Wednesday/Thursday to Saturday schedules if located within the Baguio City Public Market; alternate Monday to Wednesday/Thursday to Saturday schedules if located within the Baguio Orchidarium; Thursday to Saturday if located outside the Baguio City Public Market and the Baguio Orchidarium.

2. Cellphone load stations and pasalubong stalls selling food items – alternate Monday to Wednesday/Thursday to Saturday schedules if located within shopping and retail centers such as the Baguio City Public Market, Maharlika Livelihood Center, Mabini Shopping Centers, Centermall, Porta Vaga, Gunting Enterprises, and similar indoor establishments.

3. Kitchenware supply stores and stalls – alternate Monday to Wednesday/Thursday to Saturday schedules if located within the Baguio City Public Market; Thursday to Saturday if located outside the Baguio City Public Market.

4. Textile supply stores may open every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Managers of the mentioned establishments must make sure to follow social distancing and strict health and safety guidelines. [6]

In a video posted on social media, SM City Baguio showed the strict safety measures that it follows to protect mall-goers from catching COVID-19. A ‘no mask, no entry’ policy is implemented, and everyone must go through thermal scanners and wipe their feet on disinfectant mats. Alcohol and hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance. Safety protocol officers are deployed around the mall and will be there to help mall-goers observe social distancing. Employees are required to wear masks and shields. Escalators are used one step apart, and elevators may only be filled at 50% capacity, and one-way movement in aisles must be followed. A specialized sanitation team will disinfect high-touch areas such as toilets, handrails, grocery carts, and baskets, and the entire mall will be deeply disinfected before and after closing. [7]

At a special COVID-19 meeting in Baguio City, National Anti-COVID Action Plan Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. said that the place needs at least 3 molecular laboratories. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that Galvez’s decision regarding the molecular laboratories is based on the local government unit’s proposal. Magalong added that the city raised the need for three additional labs, with one preferably a private lab, to help Baguio in testing, detecting, and containing COVID-19. [8]

The government of Ilocos Norte has started its strategic and targeted testing of medical and non-medical frontliners, and persons under quarantine using rapid test kits to speed up detection of COVID-19 cases. Governor Matthew Manotoc said that the provincial government has secured 1,000 rapid test kits for the first batch of testing. The province also received 300 rapid test kits as donations from Senator Bong Go. The provincial government promised to meet the minimum number of people required to undergo mass testing in a given population. Ilocos Norte is currently taking the needed steps in order to open its own COVID-19 testing laboratory, and COVID-19 related machines are in the process of being operationalized. [9]

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Northern Luzon.