ITOGON officials passed a resolution requesting Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to recall his advisory that temporarily rest access between the city and the Benguet town.
On November 3, in a joint motion of Councilors Dax Godio and Jodea Brendalyn Acay-Camuyot, resolution no. 351 series of 2020 was signed by the municipal council led by Vice Mayor Albert Carantes Jr. and approved by Mayor Victorio Palangdan.
Officials said they understand the predicament of the city in protecting its people by controlling the entry of residents of the town but added the temporary restriction poses an additional burden for the people of Itogon.
“Itogon is located in a very close proximity to the City of Baguio and the people of Itogon since time immemorial have considered the City of Baguio as the source of basic and essential needs, especially for food and medical supplies, as well as their source of employment and income and, at the same time, a place where our people go for education,” the resolution said.
Godio said the issuance of the advisory of Magalong was abrupt and the community was not informed.
“We understand the predicament of the City of Baguio to protect its people, that is why we are appealing that they ease restrictions. Rest assured, we in the LGU (local government unit), we will do our best to control the spread of the virus,” Godio added.
In the advisory signed by Magalong on November 2, as per discussion with Itogon Mayor Palangdan, residents of the town going to Baguio City will have temporarily restricted access, while Baguio residents are also advised to limit travels to Itogon.
Only Itogon residents who are workers of public and private offices or establishments in Baguio and those with medical appointments or medical emergencies will be allowed to enter the city from November 3 to 15.
Required documents in checkpoints include valid government-issued identification card (ID) as proof that the worker is a resident of Itogon, proof of employment or business in Baguio, a medical certificate issued by the Municipal Health Office of Itogon stating that the worker is neither a possible, probable or suspect case of Covid-19 and that he or she does not exhibit flu-like symptoms in the last seven days.
In case the worker does not have a medical certificate, they will be directed to the Baguio City Central Triage Unit for proper health assessment.
Baguio residents were also cautioned to limit their travels to Itogon, while establishments who have employees and workers residing in Itogon are urged to implement work-from-home or alternate work arrangements during this time.
The advisory said the period may be extended if Covid-19 does not slow down.
The Itogon resolution cited the basis of Magalong issuing the advisory is due to the high current positivity rate of Covid-19 during the last week of October. Another reason is for Itogon to recalibrate the Covid-19 response measures, as the municipality continues its expanded testing operation.
In their resolution, Itogon officials said the advisory of Magalong is discriminatory in nature.
Godio said market transactions, schools and small enterprises operate in the city, stating the surge of cases in the municipality is in two barangays.
“Why would other barangays suffer? The local government is doing its best to contain the virus within the two barangays,” Godio added. “We ask Mayor Magalong to either recall or amend the conditions indicated in the advisory.”
Itogon officials added the Municipal Health Office with the help of the provincial government, private institutions and non-government organizations are trying hard to stabilize the situation in two barangays where the Covid-19 cases surged.
As of Wednesday morning, November 4, the temporarily restricted access between Itogon and Baguio is still in effect.
The chief executives of Itogon and Baguio City are meeting, as of press time, to discuss the resolution. (Lauren Alimondo)