This Week in Palawan (May 17 to 23, 2020)

Voting for the division of Palawan into three separate provinces—Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan del Sur—is moved until further notice because of the pandemic. The plebiscite was supposed to occur on May 11.This has given the province’s citizens more time to think about their decision regarding the said division of the province. [1]

The first batch of distribution of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) was completed in May 10, and almost 7,000 families in Puerto Princesa have received cash assistance worth PhP5,000. Meanwhile, 11,000 families who were excluded from the program will be endorsed to the DSWD national office. These families are pooled from the list of beneficiaries pending review and re-evaluation. If approved by the inter-agency task force (IATF), Puerto Princesa City will be given slots and these families will be provided cash assistance. [2]

In preparation for the “new normal,” the city jail painted on its floors circles that are one meter apart from each other. These were done in the visitation area and the area where they receive donations and the like. This move was done to ensure social distancing among inmates and visitors once visitation is allowed again. [3]

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) proposed to re-open Palawan’s ports and airports (including Puerto Princesa City International Airport) to help jump-start the economy of the province, but Palawan board members opposed the proposal. They expressed concerns for safety and are asking for further studies to see whether reopening would not pose health concerns. Furthermore, the board members have asked to wait for mass testing and the establishment of safety protocols before re-opening. [4]

Paly Island, which is located north of Palawan within the municipality of Taytay, is home to many whose livelihood is fishing. The island has previously been under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to fishermen who returned from Batangas City without undergoing proper health protocols. Though there is no reported case of COVID-19, the Third Marine Company of Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT3) Acting to ensure that the island would not be used as an entry point of fishing vessels to Romblon, Batangas, and Marinduque. [5]

Robinson’s Place Palawan has partnered with Backride Palawan to offer deliveries in the city. Information on what can be ordered and where to order is indicated on the mall’s Facebook page. Customers can also send their order directly to Backride Palawan. The delivery fee starts at PhP120. [6]

The Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) announced their billing scheme issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on May 5. The estimated bill of members, consumers and owners (MCOs) of PALECO is based on their average electrical consumption in the months of December, January and February. PALECO will resume meter reading in the month of May. [7]

As a better response to COVID-19, the City Government of Puerto Princesa expanded its mass testing initiative. However, since Palawan is not capable of running tests in the hospitals, specimen will be sent outside of Palawan to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) or to San Lazaro Hospital where mass testing is actually done. [8]

Two administration members in the White House tested positive with COVID-19, so US President Donald Trump encouraged his staff to wear masks. In Russia, lockdown restrictions are to be eased despite the fact that the country has the third highest number of infections. In France, many are allowed to walk outside without filing permits for the first time in weeks. Finally, new clusters of COVID-19 cases are starting to emerge again in Wuhan, China. [9]

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Palawan.