This Week in Palawan (December 28, 2020 to January 3, 2021)

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) of Puerto Princesa City announced last December 14 that they will continue their “Oplan Iwas Paputok” as the New Year nears. The BFP will go around different barangays to provide information for their “Oplan Ligtas na Pamayanan on the Road.”

They will continue to spread information until December 30 for 30 minutes each in low-risk barangays like Manalo, Sta. Lourdes, Salvacion, Irawan, and Iwahig [1]. High-risk areas like Seaside, Matiyaga, Pag-asa, Milagrosa, San Jose, San Pedro, San Miguel, and others will be visited for an hour each on December 31. During the visits, the BFP will conduct a fire safety inspection, post informative tarpaulin and posters, and present information via Facebook Live.

The Puerto Princesa City Police Department (PPCPD) and the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) will continue to apprehend motorcyclists who will violate transportation laws and traffic rules even during the holiday season. CTMP Traffic Operations Officer Allan Mabella said that there is no definite end period for their operations as long as there are violators. Those who will be arrested are motorcyclists who have no license, have an unregistered vehicle, or cause noise pollution.

Motorcyclists are being monitored due to the increasing numbers of reported snatching incidents along Ranchero Road in Brgy. San Manuel and Sicsican. Riding-in-tandems are also reported in Tagburos and Magarwak in Bacungan. Checkpoints were placed along Brgy. Bacungan, Brgy. Tagburos, San Miguel National Highway, Malvar St., Brgy. Irawan, and Brgy. Sta. Lourdes [2].

The current Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) shows Puerto Princesa City as the “Most Improved City” in the Philippines. The National Competitiveness Council through Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs)’s annual ranking recognizes the country’s improved urbanized cities [3].

According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Palawan Provincial Director Hazel Salvador, Puerto Princesa’s ranking was due to the local government unit’s focus on providing resiliency, infrastructure, economic dynamism, and government efficiency to its constituents—the four pillars of government service. The overall score of Puerto Princesa in all four pillars contributes to its high rank.

Taytay Mayor Christian Rodriguez confirmed the local government’s plan to reopen tourism in the area in January in order to help residents who lost their means of income due to the ongoing pandemic [4]. The specific date of the tourism reopening was not stated, but Rodriguez said that they are preparing the documents to be submitted to the Department of Tourism (DOT) so they can get the approval to operate. Since Taytay is currently COVID-free, Rodriguez reassures that the LGU will implement extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

SM City Puerto Princesa announced that they are offering free rides from Sta. Monica and San Jose via Alta Homes terminal to SM City Puerto Princesa every day from 9:00AM to 7:000PM. According to their Facebook announcement last December 19, the drop-off for SM Puerto Princesa will be at the canopy area in front of the main entrance. Passengers are also reminded in the announcement to follow health protocols such as proper physical distancing and wearing face masks and face shields [5]

In order to sustain the ban on single-use plastics, the Palawan provincial board approved the resolution that urges residents to use washable face masks over disposable ones. The resolution was sponsored by Board Member Juan Antonio Alvarez, who also noted that the disposable mask is more efficient in providing protection, but its usage must be sensible to prevent damaging the environment. Alvarez adds that cloth masks also contribute to the boosting of the economy since buying them helps local tailors and weavers [6].

The Philippines celebrates Rizal Day on December 30, making it a non-working holiday. Meanwhile, December 31, which is New Year’s Eve, is also designated a holiday, as is January 1, New Year’s Day. As such, work and classes are suspended on these dates.

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