BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued Executive Order (EO) 43, extending the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in the city from June 16 to June 30, 2020.
Leonardia, who signed the EO Monday night, said that shortly before midnight of June 15, a televised announcement was made by the National Inter-Agency Task Force-EID chairperson Francisco Duque III that Bacolod City shall be among the areas that shall remain under MGCQ from June 16 until June 30.
He said the City Government of Bacolod has always been in faithful compliance with the national policy in regard to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) public health emergency, acting consistently with the instructions and manner of observing public order, especially in safeguarding the health and welfare of its constituents.
"The continuity of the MGCQ requires that Bacolodnons shall have to adopt some necessary lifestyle changes because the said deadly disease is still a scourge to the whole world and to Bacolodnons," he added.
On May 31, Leonardia issued EO 38, placing the City of Bacolod under MGCQ from May 31 to June 15.
Leonardia said the Bacolodnons still have to take necessary health precautions under the MGCQ while it aims to eventually graduate into the "new normal" while allowing some normalcy back into the community life.
Section 2 of the EO states the amendment of Section 25 of EO 38, Series of 2020, regarding intrazonal travel between Iloilo City/local government units of Western Visayas and Bacolod City.
Section 25 of EO 38 states that travel between Iloilo City/LGUs of Western Visayas and Bacolod City shall be unhampered, and any provision to the contrary is hereby deemed repealed or amended accordingly.
However, the following persons are not encouraged to travel or be out of their residences, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices: persons who are below 21 years old, persons who are 60 years old and above, and persons with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned.
"Provided, further, that the Bacolod City Government may forge inter-LGU agreements to mutually institute integrated policies and common health protocols/standards and safety mechanisms for the protection and welfare of their respective populations," the EO further stated.
Section 3 of the EO also states "the continued enforceability of EO 38, except for Section 25 thereof which is amended in Section 2 above, all other provisions of EO 38, shall continue to be in full force and effect for the duration of the extended MGCQ until June 30."