WHILE Cagayan de Oro City Government awaits the martial law’s specific guidelines, the Misamis Oriental Provincial Government is eyeing to set its own rules and regulations particularly on the implementation of curfew hours.
Misamis Oriental Governor Yegvgeny Vincente Emano said he is studying, along with the Provincial Legal Office to implement curfew from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Emano added that the initial curfew time will start at 10:30 p.m. to consider the schedule time of students with night classes.
The Provincial Government will also consider to set regular working hours from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., pointing out that this would also help ease the traffic situation as employees would also be saved from the rush hour.
Emano is also activating the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to work overnight, including the Provincial Legal Office where anyone can avail free legal consultation from lawyers of the province.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on Tuesday evening amid the Marawi City skirmishes.
Emano admitted he has apprehensions, but sees the declaration of martial law as the “immediate and most reliable measure at this point to address the scenario in Marawi City.”
“The 60 days duration of martial rule, I think is very necessary to hasten government actions against the ongoing siege in Marawi,” Emano said.
With the pressing issue at hand, Emano said he instructed his department heads to be always on call and warn them to avoid unnecessary travel while martial law is in effect.
Emano added that all cellphones must be turned on particularly to the legal department, PDRRMO, Provincial Social Welfare Development and other vital offices in order to respond any possible situations.
He also announced the suspension temporarily of all Capitol activities that are scheduled beyond 7 p.m.
“If possible maka uli ang mga trabahante nga hayag pa ilabi na sa kadtong nagpuyo sa layo nga dapit sa probinsya (all employees can go home early, especially those who at distant places),” Emano added.