This Week in Palawan (October 12 to 18, 2020)

Puerto Princesa City is currently under a liquor ban until October 20. The ban started last October 6, when the city recorded a spike in local transmission cases of COVID-19. It will still allow the sale and purchase of alcoholic beverages, but public consumption is prohibited [1].

Along with the enforcement of this policy, curfew hours were also adjusted from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Social and work gatherings were also limited to a maximum of 10 persons. Gatherings that will exceed 10 persons will need permission from the Incident Management Team (IMT). Moreover, starting last October 12, a travel restriction to Puerto Princesa City was also implemented by the local IATF.

Last October 1, tourism in El Nido reopened to tourists from Palawan to kick start the local economy after it suffered financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Tourism (DOT) has planned the reopening of the island since July, but the plan was only finalized through Executive Order 2020-079 [2].

The EO allows the reopening of 40 establishments. Under it, 400 workers will also resume their businesses and works. Along with the reopening of establishments, strict safety protocols will also be reinforced. Guidelines for tourists and establishments were also indicated by the Municipal Tourism Office (MTO).

According to the MTO’s guidelines, visitors should only check in at resorts and hotels that were given the Certificate of Authority to Operate (CATO) issued by DOT. The CATO is proof that the establishment is complying with the standard health protocols. Visitors must also submit an accomplished health declaration form, a valid ID as proof of residence, and booking confirmation before entering the town proper. They must also bring their own masks and snorkels and food. An eco-tourism fee of PhP200 will also be charged to non-El Nido residents.

Robinsons Place Palawan announced their new mall hours on their Facebook page last October 6. The mall hours are now from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Monday to Sunday, while the supermarket will operate from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Customers are reminded to wear face masks and face shields upon entering mall premises [3].

The mall establishment also reopened several government agencies at the Lingkod Pinoy Center [4]. The operating hours of the government agencies are as follows:

DFA: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

LTO: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Bureau of Immigration: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

PHLPost: Monday to Friday, 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The public can still avail the Government Service Insurance System’s (GSIS) COVID-19 emergency loan program until December 27, 2020. The loan program aims to provide financial aid to those heavily affected by the pandemic.

Members who are not on leave of absence without pay, have no criminal case, and have at least PhP5,000 remaining from their monthly salary after deductions are qualified for a loan. Qualified members with existing loans can borrow up to PhP40,000 so they can pay their previous balance, but they can still avail a PhP20,000 loan. Meanwhile, borrowers without existing loans can avail a PhP20,000 loan. Those who paid premiums for three months prior to their application date can also apply. Senior and disabled loaners can apply if their loan is 25% of their monthly pension after loan availment [4].

Meanwhile, those who have previously availed COVID-19 loans will no longer be qualified, while members who have arrears for at least 6 months can renew their existing calamity loans except the COVID-19 emergency loan. Loan applications will be approved by authorized officers of the members’ employers and agencies. Application forms can be downloaded from https://www.gsis.gov.ph/downloadable-forms. To ensure safe and contactless transactions, forms should be submitted to the GSIS website. Members must sign up so they can create an account that can be used to submit their emergency loan forms.

The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to cooperate with Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) if self-isolating individuals are experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III called on the public to contact BHERTs since they conduct contact tracing and local epidemiology. He added that residents should know the assigned BHERTs in their areas so they know whom to contact in case an individual experiences symptoms.

BHERTs will also be tasked to transport patients to treatment and monitoring facilities if they experience symptoms. Duque also asked for the cooperation of residents by following the strict public health standards imposed by BHERTs [5].

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