This Week in Northern Luzon (September 4 to 10, 2021)

From September 1 to 7, several towns and cities in Ilocos Norte will remain under localized enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Ilocos Norte governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc signed Executive Order No. 151-21—which states that all municipalities with the exemption of Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, and Pagudpud, will remain under ECQ. The extension of ECQ status is due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in all areas under the strictest quarantine classification [1].

In addition to the localized lockdowns, Ilocos Norte LGU also lifted the ban against returning residents starting last August 30 [2]. Returning residents are also encouraged to cooperate with their respective LGUs for the proper procedure. All returning residents—vaccinated or not, must present negative RT-PCR results taken 60 hours before arrival. Acceptance letters from respective mayors must be secured by residents as well. Resident admittance will be given at the entrance. Quarantining is not mandatory, but returnees are encouraged to limit movements.

A dry run on tourism reopening was conducted in Sagada last August 24. The brief reopening of tourism is for visitors who will also be coming from the Cordillera region. The test run lasted for five days, and it focused on improving the efficacy of the online registration, protocols, and validation of registered guests. Spots and tourism facilities were also tested in their capabilities in handling visitors [3].

New tourism packages are also being planned to promote agri-tourism. To prepare more residents for tourism opening, Sagada Mayor James Pooten Jr seeks the help of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in speeding up the vaccination rollout in Sagada.

SM City Baguio will have a mobile site for voter registration from September 1 to September 30. The Commissions on Election will be accepting registrations from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends [4]. The site is located at Level 3 near Cyberzone.

Requirements for registration are the following:

● Student ID or library card (new registration)

● Employee ID

● Government-issued ID

For those who have corrections or changes in entry:

● PSA Birth certificate

● Marriage contract

Dengue cases are seen rising in 29 barangays in Baguio City, prompting Baguio LGU to advise residents in eliminating breeding sites of mosquitoes [5]. In 2021, Baguio City recorded 863 dengue cases from January to August. The cases also affected one-month-old infants to senior citizens above 60 years old.

Visit Yoorekka Consumer Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Ilocos and Northern Luzon!