This Week in Palawan (May 31 to June 6, 2020)

Leaders of religious institutions in El Nido can now apply for special permission to conduct religious gatherings in their respective house of worship, so long as they strictly adhere to health protocols. Leaders should present a plan for proper observance of minimum health protocols, allow 50% reduced seating capacity, wearing of face masks, presence of foot bath and washing areas, and prohibit holding or shaking of hands. [1]

City Information Officer and Anti-Crime Task Force Head Richard Ligad has stated that a monetary penalty shall be imposed against those who are not wearing face masks in public. The fine for the first offense is PhP300; for the second offense, PhP500; and for the third offense, PhP1,000. This rule is being enforced more strictly because of the negligence of the citizens to wear their masks outside of their homes. [2]

More than 800 stranded locals were sponsored by the municipality of El Nido to bring them back to Puerto Princesa City and other municipalities via sweeper buses. In compliance with the social distancing measures, every sweeper bus trip accommodates 33 passengers. [3]

The recovery of tourism in Puerto Princesa City is at its all-time low since the start of January 2020. Mayor Lucilo Bayron said that infrastructure projects have resumed after the more relaxed general community quarantine began [4]. Some of the ongoing projects are the construction of Balayong Park, street lighting projects, and the integrated fish port. The construction of Sabang wharf has also resumed last May 1, as is the planning for a 5,000-seater convention center.

Puerto Princesa International Airport is preparing for the “new normal” for when the local government approves resumption of flights. Safety protocols are being practiced in the airport, and the new set-up for more safety protocols is also almost completed. In addition to these safety measures, Ma. Lourdes Espartero, PPIA Acting Public Information Officer (PIO) said that the airport is going to run simulation exercises in order to check the efficiency and effectivity of their implementation of the ‘new normal’ measures. [5]

Foreign tourists who are stranded in Palawan may help boost marketing in restarting the tourism industry of the province, according to the Department of Tourism. The tourists who are stranded in Palawan chose to stay because they felt safe in Palawan during the quarantine period said DOT MIMAROPA Regional Director Chris Morales. [6]

SM City Puerto Princesa continues to carry out strict measures to comply with safety and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations. For instance, everyone is required to wear face masks at all times, and all the employees and agency frontliners, janitors, and security guards have also undergone rapid testing. Safety Protocol Officers have also been deployed to roam around the mall and ensure safe malling. [7]

Starting June 1, St. Ezekiel Moreno Medical Clinic will begin an appointment system to limit people in the clinic. This system aims to shorten waiting hours for the patients and manage transactions in their services. Priority will still be given to patients with appointments, senior citizens, and emergency cases. [8]

With Brazil being the country with the second largest number of positive COVID-19 cases as of date, the White House announced a temporary travel suspension from Brazil to United States. This move was done to ensure that no more additional COVID-19 infections will enter the United States. [9]

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