THE City Government of Bacolod will strictly impose the identification (ID) system or "no ID card, no entry" in the city's boundaries starting Friday, March 20.
Leonardia said the ID system will be implemented in the city's boundaries check-up points in various areas to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
"So, for those who are working here in Bacolod, they should present their IDs to our authorities and if you do not have an ID, you will be advised by our authorities to go back to your place. So secure your ID or employment certificate from you employers," he said.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) personnel were conducting check-up points in the boundaries of Barangays Mansilingan, Sum-ag, Bata, and in access road going to Bacolod-Silay Airport.
Policemen were deployed 24/7 to secure the city's boundaries with the assistance from City Health Office (CHO) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO).
On March 16, Leonardia issued Executive Order (EO) 22, providing for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of EO 21, Series of 2020.
Leonardia said the general community quarantine shall be effective at all times whereby movements of people are limited to accessing basic necessities and work, and where unformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border patrol.
Section 2 of the EO 22 stated that the check-up points shall be put up in strategic areas of the city primarily under and sound determination of the local Philippine National Police, to be assisted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the City Health Office (CHO), and any other government agency, where they check vehicular/pedestrian traffic in order to enforce circulation control of all necessary quarantine measures and other laws, orders and regulations.
The non-essential entry of persons into or exit out of Bacolod City shall be restricted, except for out-of-towners who report for work in Bacolod City during their work days, they should have valid company identification (ID) card; Bacolod residents who report for work out-of-town during their work day, they should have valid ID; medical/ health workers in the performance for their duties; people travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons; authorized government officials/employees in the performance of their duties; people providing basic services; returning delivery personnel of business establishments based either in Bacolod City or out-of-town.
In all above exemptions, they should not exhibit symptoms of Covid-19 infection, otherwise they shall be managed in the following manner; out-of-towners, they shall be made to return to their place of residents; for Bacolod residents, they shall be disallowed from leaving the city if they are on their way out and they shall be endorsed to the CHO or the barangay health emergency response team (Bherts) for proper medical handling. Likewise, if they are returning to the city, they shall also be endorsed to the CHO or Bherts.
"We are appealing to our residents from Talisay going to San Carlos cities, and from Bago City going to Hinoba-an, that for the meantime please avoid coming here in Bacolod, if you do not have an emergency or business here in Bacolod please just stay at home," Leonardia said.
He said this is the city's measure to protect public health safety and to be a Covid-19 free city.
"This is not only for Bacolodnons, this is for all of us, the people of Negros Occidental," he added.