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This Week in Palawan (April 5 to 11, 2020)
Twelve towns in Palawan are under a state of calamity.
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | April 05, 2020
Palawan’s local government is enforcing measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Along with the already implemented enhanced community quarantine, the Palawan local government units placed 12 towns under state of calamity. In addition, curfew hours were adjusted in Puerto Princesa to ensure that residents will follow movement restrictions.
Speaking of schedules, the operating hours of markets and banks were also adjusted to lessen overcrowding in public spaces. Adjustments were also made by the Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) as they suspended all of their transactions. In health news, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that smokers are more prone to getting the coronavirus. The organization also released a guideline that can help in utilizing health care services. Meanwhile, alternatives for the celebration of Holy Week were also suggested. Read on for a roundup of lockdown news.
Quarantine Updates
12 Palawan towns under state of calamity
Twelve towns in Palawan have been declared in the state of calamity by their respective municipal boards. These towns are Quezon, Cagayancillo, Rizal, Balabac, San Vicente, Linapacan, Bataraza, Coron, Busuanga, Roxas, Agutaya, and Brooke’s Point. Through this declaration, each town was allowed to utilize its respective calamity fund. The calamity fund will cover necessities such as food packs, medical supplies, and other assistance.
The entire province of Palawan was declared under the state of calamity last March 21, 2020 [1]. Each of the municipalities is also required to declare uniform measures to use their funds, as they were not covered by the pronouncement made by the provincial government of Palawan.
Travel News
Puerto Princesa City sets new curfew hours
Puerto Princesa City has started following a 6:00 PM to 5:00 AM curfew since March 20, 2020.
The curfew was made to limit movements around the city and to lessen the residents’ risk of exposure to the coronavirus. There are few exemptions to the curfew: frontliners such as health workers, utility workers, uniformed personnel, delivery workers, and those with quarantine passes per household [2].
Shopping News
City government adjusts market hours in Puerto Princesa
Market hours in Puerto Princesa are set back to 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM by the city government to comply with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s warning against market hours tampering. The previous market schedule imposed a window time where residents can buy their goods, but it was found to be ineffective for social distancing [3]. Guidelines are currently being modified by the city government.
Barangays set market schedules
Just like Puerto Princesa, several barangays also set their own respective market schedules. The schedules are as follows [4]:
5:00 AM to 9:00 AM
• Brgy. Mandaragat
• Brgy. Matahimik
• Brgy. Maunland
• Brgy. Magkakaibigan
• Brgy. Pag-Asa
• Brgy. Sikat
• Brgy. Masikap
• Brgy. Pagkakaisa
• Brgy. Tagumpay
5:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Tiniguiban
• Sicsican
• Sta. Monica
• Irawan
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Brgy. San Miguel
• Tanglaw
• Masipag
• Kalipay
• Milagrosa
• Model
• Masigla
• Matiyaga
• Maligaya
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• San Manuel
• Tagburos
• San Jose
• Sata Lourdes
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• San Pedro
• Maningning
• Bagong Silang
• Mabuhay
• Bancao-Bancao
• Manggahan
• Princesa
• San Isidro
• Liwanag
Banks and Remittances News
Banks shortened operating hours
Banks such as the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Robinsons Bank have announced that they will limit banking hours. For DBP, operating hours will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Puerto Princesa and Taytay, Palawan. For Robinsons Bank, Puerto Princesa branches will operate from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM [5].
PALECO suspends all transactions
The Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) extended their deadlines for bill due dates because of the enhanced community quarantine. The company stated that their consumer welfare desk hotline will remain operational for concerns [6].
Health News
Smokers found to be more prone to COVID-19
The World Health Organization warned the public that smokers are more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. Smokers increase their risk because of the hand-to-mouth gestures in smoking. Smokers are also found to have reduced lung capacity, which would bring greater risk for serious illnesses. WHO also reminds the public to practice proper hygiene to lessen risks of getting the coronavirus [7].
WHO released guidelines in maintaining essential health services amid the pandemic
WHO also released a guideline that can help countries in managing essential health services during the coronavirus pandemic. According to guideline, countries should identify services that will be prioritized to maintain the continuity of service. WHO also requires the highest standards in safety precautions, hygiene practices, and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). Governments are asked to conduct robust planning with hospitals [8].
Holiday News: Religious groups suggest alternative Holy Week celebration
Because of COVID-19, Catholics are now trying to find alternative ways to celebrate the Holy Week without a public gathering. Religious groups have suggested resorting to creative and digital means such as using mobile apps for the liturgy of the hours, online resources for meditations on the stations of the cross or virtual shrine tours, live streaming masses, and downloading patterns for palm crosses [9].
Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Palawan.
References:
[1] https://bit.ly/3bTbPSa
[2] https://bit.ly/2UYjIyQ
[3] https://bit.ly/349LHj3
[4] https://bit.ly/3dQEwAJ
[5] https://bit.ly/2x3CLj3
[6] https://bit.ly/34ay43c
[7] https://bit.ly/3aHYV9h
[8] https://bit.ly/2wStKtn
[9] https://bit.ly/2UYjR5m
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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