OFFICIALS of La Trinidad in Benguet want Baguio City Government to recall its imposed travel restrictions.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City ordered on Thursday, November 19, the restricted access between municipalities of La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay from November 21 until December 4.
However, Mayor Romeo Salda clarified there was no dialogue between the City and the different mayors of the town before the travel restriction order was imposed.
“There were no series of dialogues on the travel restrictions. Even the governor could attest to that,” said Salda.
La Trinidad officials, during the emergency meeting of the Municipal Inter Agency Task Force (MIATF) for Covid-19 on Friday, November 20, said the guidelines are unclear. Barangay captains of the town and various department heads attended the meeting.
“It is very clear stand of MIATF to suspend or recall the implementation of the advisory because the guidelines are very unclear,” Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan said.
But Magalong earlier said a series of dialogues were held with the Provincial Government of Benguet, along with the Regional Task Force on Covid-19, through the Office of the Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Meanwhile, Governor Melchor Diclas issued on Friday a separate advisory regarding the travel restrictions.
“For orderly implementation of the travel restriction in our border lines, all affected Benguet residents are advised to bring along with them the travel requirements during their travel to Baguio City,” the governor said.
In the advisory, added to the travel requirement was the Medical Certificate to be issued by the Municipal Health Office and the Provincial Health Office with the exception of Tuba residents who may secure Medical Certificate at the barangay health office. The provincial health office of the province of Benguet will be open on November 21, 22, and 23 to accommodate affected Benguet residents.