This Week in Palawan (May 24 to 30, 2020)

Since Palawan is now under modified GCQ, residents have to follow new guidelines, which are as follows:

• Curfew is set back to 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

• Hotels may resume operations but for long-term stays only.

• Mass gatherings are still prohibited.

• Physical classes are still suspended.

• Inter-municipality travel is allowed.

• Seniors are allowed to go outside with restrictions.

• Flights/ports are allowed only for the movement of goods.

• Mandatory quarantine will be imposed on returning travelers who were stranded outside of Palawan.

• The liquor ban is lifted with restrictions

These guidelines are adopted from the guidelines released by the national inter-agency task force (IATF). [1]

In the construction industry, Department Order 2020-005 states that the contractor is obligated to fund COVID-19 testing for its workers, including setting up hygienic and safe on-site or near-site barracks and quarters and provision of “group health or self-insurance coverage” for all workers involved in construction. The developers should also ensure the provision of adequate assistance package for workers that may contract COVID-19 in the duration of their employment [2].

Travel restrictions are now eased in all parts of the province, allowing stranded individuals in different municipalities to travel back to their hometowns [3]. However, local stranded individuals (LSIs) need to secure a quarantine clearance from the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), a prerequisite for the issuance of health clearance from the Municipal Health Office (MHO), before they can travel.

For convenience and safety, ACE Hardware in SM Puerto Princesa now offers a call and collect option to its buyers. Customers can call or text 09176279754, 09992210952, 048 717 0008 to place an order, wait for confirmation, and then arrange their preferred delivery option. The hardware store is open on Monday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but the cutoff time for same-day processing is 2:00 PM. [4]

For convenience and safety, ACE Hardware in SM Puerto Princesa now offers a call and collect option to its buyers. Customers can call or text 09176279754, 09992210952, 048 717 0008 to place an order, wait for confirmation, and then arrange their preferred delivery option. The hardware store is open on Monday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, but the cutoff time for same-day processing is 2:00 PM. [4]

Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) is now allowing applications for new connections starting May 6. Meanwhile, for current customers, there will be no disconnection and surcharges and bills for the month of April and March are based on actual reading. There is a “no mask, no entry” policy on all PPCWD premises. [5]

Ospital ng Palawan (ONP)’s license to operate as a COVID-19 testing laboratory has been approved, as confirmed by Dra. Mary Ann Navarro the Provincial Health Officer of Palawan. With the license approved last May 15, 2020 by the Department of Health (DOH) and RITM, ONP can now to do swab tests using RT-PCR. The results of the tests can be seen within 45 minutes to 2 hours. Palawan is the first in MIMAROPA that was licensed to do COVID-19 testing. [6]

The economic growth of Japan plunged into a recession in the first quarter due to the pandemic. Private residential investments and household consumption are in its all-time low. Japan is currently on a state of emergency, although the declaration has been lifted in a majority of its prefectures already [7].

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