Cities of Cebu, Mandaue slowly open up under GCQ

PUBLIC transportation will be up and running in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, when it shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting Monday, June 1, 2020.

Section 5 (A) of Executive Order 79 issued by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella on Sunday, May 31, states that all forms of public transportation are allowed and exempted from the number coding scheme, but are subject to conditions provided by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Buses, jeepneys, modern jeepneys and vans-for-hire should follow guidelines mandated by LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-017. (Click here for the complete list)

Taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Services should follow the guidelines mandated under LTFRB Memorandum Circular 2020-018. (Click here for the complete list)

Sixty buses and 10 modern jeepneys will ply the roads of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay starting June 1. However, LTFRB-Central Visayas Director Eduardo Montealto Jr. said the units will fully operate on June 3.

Routes

The units will ply 17 routes identified by the LTFRB 7, including one from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The other routes are Opra-Carbon; Busay-Carbon; Guadalupe-Ayala, SM; Cebu City Hall-Cebu Business Park; R. Duterte St.-Cebu Business Park; F.Llamas, Labangon-SM City Cebu via SRP; SM Seaside-I.T. Park.

N. Bacalso (CITI Hardware)-Capitol via Osmena Blvd.; N. Bacalso (CITI Hardware)-Capitol via V. Rama Ave.; IL Corso-I.T. Park; SM Seaside-Talisay City via N. Bacalso; Talamban-V.Rama Ave.; H. Abellana St. (Tintay Market)-Colon St.; Talamban Road (Talamban Gym)-Cebu City Hall.

There are also routes going to and from the CSBT-Lapu-Lapu City Terminal via Imus, North Reclamation Area; and Katipunan St., (Tisa Barangay Hall)-Mabolo (F. Cabahug St.).

The fare starts at P11 for the first five kilometers and P1.85 for every succeeding kilometer for non-aircon buses. Fare for aircon buses will start at P13 and P2.20 for every succeeding kilometer.

For modern jeepneys, fare starts at P11 for both aircon and non-aircon for the first four kilometers and P1.50 for every succeeding kilometer for non-aircon and P1.80 for aircon units.

In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes deployed 120 point-to-point buses to ply within the city and to neighboring towns and cities.

The fare will start at P11 for the first five kilometers and P1.85 for every succeeding kilometer.

Tricycles can operate as long as these have permits to operate.

Other forms of transportation, such as jeepneys, are prohibited unless these were issued permits by the LTFRB.

Individuals age 21 years old and below and 60 years old and above, pregnant women, sick persons and individuals not wearing masks will not be allowed to ride.

The two age groups are still not allowed to leave their homes.

The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in both cities is still in effect.

In Cebu City, the number coding for vehicles still applies, unless exempted.

Pursuant to the Reciprocity Agreement adopted by the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City will honor any document issued by Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu to its residents to be allowed entry in the borders.

Under GCQ, businesses still prohibited to operate are amusement, including kid amusement industries; gaming; fitness establishment and sports facilities; entertainment industries; libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; tourism industries; and personal care services.

Allowed full, limited operation

Businesses in full operation are industries in power, energy, water and other utilities; agriculture, fishery and forestry industries; food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores and food preparation establishments in so far as take-out and delivery services; food delivery services, health care-related establishments; the logistics sector; information technology and telecommunication companies; and media establishments.

In Cebu City, industries such as repair and installation of machinery and equipment; construction work accredited by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and manufacturing companies and suppliers of products necessary for construction will also be in full operation.

In Mandaue City, businesses in 50 percent to full operational capacity are industries in mining and other manufacturing and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance and housing and office services.

In Cebu City, industries allowed to operate at 50 percent to full operating capacity include manufacturing of non-essential goods such as beverages (alcoholic drinks); electrical machinery; wood products, furniture; textiles/wearing apparels; tobacco products; paper and paper products; rubber and plastic products; coke and refined petroleum products; other non-metallic mineral products; computer, electronic and optical products; electrical equipment; machinery and equipment; motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers; other transport equipment; export-oriented companies; real estate activities; repair of computers and personal household goods; business process outsourcing; banks, money transfer services, microfinance institutions, pawnshops, and credit cooperatives; capital markets (BSP, SEC, PDEC, PDTC, etc.); public and private construction projects that are essential (sewerage, water services facilities, digital works, health facilities) and priority (food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing, and BPO); veterinary clinics; and security and investigation activities.

In Mandaue City, businesses from skeleton work force to 50 percent operational capacity are industries in financial services; legal and accounting and auditing services; professional, scientific, technical and other non-leisure services; and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments.

In Cebu City, industries allowed to operate with 50 percent operational capacity and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements include advertising and market research; computer programming and printing activities; entertainment production; rental and leasing other than real estate; employment activities; architecture and engineering activities; scientific research development; management and consultancy activities; other financial services; and wholesale, retail trade and repair of motor parts.

Malls and commercial centers, non-leisure only, are also allowed to operate with 50 percent operational capacity which include dining/restaurants (no dine-in, delivery and take-out only); hardware stores; clothing and accessories; mall-based government frontline services; bookstores and school and office supplies stores; baby care supplies stores; pet food and pet care supplies; IT, communications, and electronic equipment; flower, jewelry, novelty shops; and toy stores.

All public and private construction projects shall be allowed but with strict compliance to the issued construction safety guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 pandemic by the DPWH.

Barber shops and salons can operate but limited to hair cutting services starting June 7 with a 30 percent operational capacity.

All businesses are advised to follow minimum public health standards.

Businesses in Mandaue City must secure a special permit to operate. Violators will be issued a notice of violation.

In Cebu City, businesses that are allowed to reopen must fill out the Business Monitoring Form, which can be accessed at https://sites.google.com/view/bplocebucity and submit employees’ information, statement of Management Responsibility for Maintaining Workplace Health Standards and a Workplace Health Contingency Plan.

The requirements must be accomplished on or before June 5.

In case an employee is found positive of Covid-19, the establishment shall immediately suspend operation to conduct disinfection; test all employees who were exposed to the patient; and secure a clearance from the Cebu City Health and Business Permit and Licensing Office before it can resume operation.

Limited movement

The movement of people in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue are still limited to purchasing essential goods and working in offices or businesses allowed to operate.

When going outside, a person should secure proof or document supporting the movement, such as quarantine pass, company ID or certificate of employment and special permit to operate for businesses.

Public exercise with no physical contact such as walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian and skateboarding, among others, are allowed provided health standards are complied with.

Movement or travel for leisure purposes is still prohibited.

Public gatherings such as cockpit or "tigabakay", movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, community assemblies and non-essential work gatherings are prohibited.

The liquor ban in Mandaue City has been lifted which means, selling, transporting and manufacturing alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Drinking liquor in public areas in both cities is prohibited.

Market schedule in both cities is still in effect.

In Cebu City, supermarkets, public, and private wet markets, grocery stores, agri-fishery supplies stores, veterinary supplies, pharmacies, drug stores and other retail establishments engaged in selling essential goods are encouraged to extend their store hours to a maximum of 12 hours.

Border control points and random checkpoints will remain.

In Mandaue City, the government will declare "localized lockdowns" in areas, sitios or barangays that have high Covid-19 cases and high possible infection that will be called "red zone."

Businesses in the red zone will only be allowed to reopen when the lockdown is lifted.

In Cebu City, Labella also considered the sequential and segmental lockdowns in critical areas. (JJL & KFD with a report from HBL)