This Week in Central Luzon (January 15 to 21, 2022)

Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga is among the places in the Philippines that reverted to Alert Level 3 until January 31 due to the rising COVID-19 cases. The National Inter-agency Task Force announced the new alert level for Clark, Subic, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon last January 14. [1]

As part of their preventive measures against COVID-19, Angeles City implements a liquor ban that prohibits the consumption and distribution of alcoholic beverages [2].

The liquor ban will be effective until January 15 as part of an executive order issued by Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. The liquor ban is implemented due to the rapid number of COVID-19 cases in the area.

Pampanga is under Alert Level 3—which limits the movements of tourists and locals.

Heads up to those visiting Subic Freeport: entry will be stricter as only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to enter the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to lessen the spread of COVID-19 [3].

SBMA Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma further that local law enforces will require vaccination cards at the entrance. It is part of SBMA's safety and health protocols to prevent the spike of COVID-19 cases. In addition, Eisma stated that interzonal and intrazonal movements would be allowed. Unvaccinated folks will also need to show negative RT-PCR tests that were taken within 24 hours before arrival. However, some public places can only be accessed by fully vaccinated individuals due to health protocols.

Subic recorded 36 active cases after the holidays under Alert Level 3.

As of January 6, Angeles City has begun to administer booster shots against COVID-19 as part of the "Sundo Bakuna sa Barangay" program [4]. The booster shots vaccination sites are at the City College of Angeles and Angeles City National High School.

According to the city’s chief implementer of the vaccination initiative, the booster shots will be via appointment. All interested individuals must also be fully vaccinated on or before July 4, 2021. As for the vaccine supplies, city health officer Verona Guevarra confirmed it's enough for the vaccination of eligible residents.

Three cities in Pampanga are seeing spikes in COVID-19 cases as of January 6, 2022 [5]. Part of the three cities include, San Fernando, Angeles City, and Mabalacat. Mabalacat records 21 active cases from its 27 villages: Bundagul, Dapdap Dau, Mabiga, San Francisco, and Sapang Biabas.

As for San Fernando, 105 active cases were recorded as of January 6—which came from 24 out of 35 villages.

Lastly, Angeles City records 56 active cases from 15 out of 33 villages.

These three cities were COVID-19 free last Christmas. Pampanga is under Alert Level 3.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more travel and COVID-19 updates and guidelines in Central Luzon!