In response to the spike of positive cases of covid-19 at seventy-one (71), with 19 positive cases as reported by the Provincial Health Office Governor Joseph C. Cua issued Executive Order No. 044 titled, “Establishing Protocol Regarding Entry of Persons in Establishments” on September 18, 2020.
The said E.O. was issued in response to the Bicol Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) adopted Resolution No. 2020-18 titled “ REQUESTING THE PROVINCE OF CATANDUANES TO SUSPEND THE ORVINCEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION OF E.O. 36, S. 2020 (20 AUGUST 2020) RE-IMPOSING THE REQUIREMENT OF A BARANGAY PASS UNDER THE PREVIOUS ECC AND MECQ GUIDELINES.”
It was a felt-need meant to regulate the movement of people in which the provincial government assumes the presence of local transmission while awaiting guidance from the Department of Health –Region V.
Said E.O. 044 is issued as a new mechanism to prevent the spread of covid-19 in response to the BIATF request.
It requires, among other things, “all persons seeking to enter establishments such as but not limited to government offices, malls, restaurants, and groceries to present valid identification cards or documents before allowing entry and bar those entering the premises who fail to present valid identification or documentation; essential workers, government workers, and workers of industries allowed to operate under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) Guidelines shall present their workplace-issued ID etc.
All municipal local government units are advised to implement the said guidelines and to harmonize the local implementation of the said Order in consideration of the present situation under their jurisdiction.
This latest Order, which repealed E.O. Nos. 36, 36a, 40 and 41 as requested by BIATF, took effect last September 25, 2020.
As of September 21, 2020, six new cases were reported by the Department of Health, with Virac accounting for four (4) cases and the other two from Viga and Pandan.
May this prompt action by the provincial chief executive, issued to the LGUs province-wide, produce the desired result serving as the basis for its, implementation and safety of the people in general.
