This Week in Palawan (August 31 to September 6, 2020)

On September 1, Palawan State University (PSU) began its school year, but the semester will not be conducted through face-to-face classes. According to the memorandum released by the PSU Office of the University President, the first semester for AY 2020-2021 will be conducted online [1].

Google Classroom will be used to distribute instruction modules and learning materials to students. Students can also use the platform for submitting their requirements. The first week of classes will also serve as a dry-run since students and teachers are adjusting to the new normal. Online classes will also be implemented on all the external campuses of the university.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Palawan urges businesses to cover the COVID-19 test for their back-to-work employees. Although not mandatory, DOLE said that swab testing is encouraged once every four weeks for workers in the hospitality and tourism sectors and the manufacturing industry and for frontliners—especially if they are showing symptoms [2].

Under the joint advisory of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DOLE, employees working for the tourism and hospitality sectors are recommended to undergo testing once every four weeks. Meanwhile, employees under manufacturing may be tested every three months. Frontliners, economic priority workers, and those working in a workplace with high interaction and exposure to the public may be tested every three months. Local chief labor and employment officer Luis Evagelista added that the frequency of swab testing will depend on the financial capacity of the employer.

Two resorts in Palawan were nominated for the 2020 World Travel Awards: Secret Paradise Resort in Port Barton and Turtle Sanctuary in Ampulo. Both are nominated under the Philippines’ Leading Resort of 2020 category. Along with these Palawan resorts, other nominated Philippine establishments are Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City, Mandala Spa and Resort Villas in Boracay, and Mövenpick Hotel in Cebu. WTA is one of the most prestigious awarding bodies in the travel industry [3].

Palawan recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases as 24 confirmed cases were logged in the province from August 17 to 22. Sixteen of the recorded cases were found to be instances of local transmission. The province’s second COVID-related death was also recorded when an 82-year-old female patient from Coron died last August 18 [4].

Coron also possesses the highest daily count with 16 new cases, overtaking the town of Cuyo. Since most of the cases are from local transmission, several towns tightened their borders and issued strict travel advisories. Taytay, El Nido, Linapacan, and Culion all imposed strict measures for those who are travelling to and from Coron. Meanwhile, Busuanga issued a travel ban for travelers from Coron. As of writing, the remaining COVID-free towns include Linapacan, Kalayaan, Balabac, and Cagayancillo.

August 31 is National Heroes Day in the Philippines. It is observed as a special non-working holiday.

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