This Week News

This Week in Palawan (May 10 to 16, 2020)

Palawan adjusts to the general community quarantine.

By: Yoorekka Team | May 10, 2020
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Palawan, enhanced community quarantine, general community quarantine, Quarantine Updates, Health News, Global News

As the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Palawan was downgraded to a general community quarantine (GCQ), the province has seen various guidelines to follow, some provided by the National Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and some from municipalities. In the first week of the GCQ, the citizens of Palawan were still trying to adjust to the guidelines while returning to their normal lifestyle. Stores, malls, utility companies and banks are reopening and public transportation has also returned.


Quarantine Updates


Narra sees relaxed guidelines as more industries now allowed to operate

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Narra and the mayor’s office has issued an executive order to specify which industries are now allowed to operate. The directive will be effective until May 14 if there is no change in the town’s risk level. Industries are categorized as follows:

• Category I (open 100%): agriculture, fishery, forestry, food manufacturing and its entire supply chain, food retail, healthcare, logistics, water, energy, internet, telecoms and media (with the exception that restaurants and fast foods are only allowed to offer delivery and take outs).
• Category II (open 50-100%): other manufacturing like electronics and exports, e-commerce and delivery for essential and non-essential items and other non-leisure services
• Category III (open 50%): financial services, other non-leisure wholesale and retail trade and other non-leisure services
• Category IV (closed 100%): schools, leisure, amusement, gaming, fitness, “child” industry, tourism, all gatherings, malls (limited opening) and construction (limited opening).[1]



Under the executive order, workers and establishments that belong to Categories I, II, and III may now return to work or operate in phases. Meanwhile, those under Category IV are still not allowed to resume their operations.

APORs now allowed in checkpoints even without quarantine pass

Authorized persons outside residence (APOR) who live within the bounds of Puerto Princesa City will be allowed to pass checkpoints without having to present a home quarantine pass (HQP) and valid identification cards. However, checkpoints located at the city borders will still ask for more documents for those on inter–municipality travel. [2]


Travel News


City government provides gas and cash subsidy for drivers and fare-free rides

From May 5 to 15, the city council has approved an ordinance that funds selected multicabs to offer free rides in exchange for 12 liters of fuel and PhP1,000 cash to be divided between the driver and owner. According to Councilor Victor Oliveros, multicabs or jeepneys that offer free rides will be marked to indicate to the public that the fare is free. Meanwhile, tricycle drivers will be allowed to operate on national highways, and 3,125 units will be given 2 liters of gas every day. These public utility vehicles (PUVs) are allowed to carry passengers provided they observe social distancing. [3]



Domestic travel key to jumpstart tourism after ECQ

Due to lockdowns in other parts of the world, domestic travel might be the key to jump start tourism. Once the ECQ and GCQ are lifted all over the Philippines and the tourism sector opens again, Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. foresees that domestic travelers will be the ones to revive the industry. [4] In the first quarter of 2020, Bengzon noted that the Philippines has seen a 35 percent drop in revenues from foreign arrivals compared to the same period last year.


Shopping News: SM City Puerto Princesa reopens 56 stores


Following the guidelines on allowed sectors in areas under GCQ, SM City Puerto Princesa has reopened 56 stores including appliance stores, fast food chains and restaurants (without dine-in options), fashion and retail brands, gadgets, techs and accessory needs, and salons. These stores are to follow health protocols and will only accommodate customers at a limited capacity. [5]


Banks and Remittances News: Puerto Princesa City Water District resumes operations


At May 4, the Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) resumed its operations and services including bills payment, application for reconnection, and other frontline services; however, application for new connection is still not available. Bills during the ECQ (March to April) and the month of May will not be subject to a surcharge or penalty, disconnection notices will be delayed until further notice, and there will be no minimum rate consumption below 10 cubic meter for the reading period of March to May. [6]



Global News: People all over the world flock outside as measures are eased


As measures against COVID-19 were eased in various parts of the world, people go outdoors in an attempt to return to their normal lives. Crowds of storekeepers gather in Venice asking to open their shops; commuters filled the platforms of Cadorna in Milan; beaches in Barcelona buzz with activity; beaches in Florida and Tampa Bay teem with locals; and a public park in Miami, Queensland is filled with hordes of people. Despite the relaxing of rules, authorities remind citizens to observe social distancing, wear masks, and not to stray too far away from their homes. [7] The World Health Organization has warned countries against easing coronavirus measures as this might cause a resurgence of cases.


Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Palawan.



Sources:
[1] https://bit.ly/2YIpgAW
[2] https://bit.ly/2YMXqna
[3] https://bit.ly/2WLVc4W
[4] https://bit.ly/3fyeOSE
[5] https://bit.ly/3dpNEew
[6] https://bit.ly/3fyQAHP
[7] https://bit.ly/3bjIyiu
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About Yoorekka Team
Yoorekka’s team is composed of talented writers from all over the Philippines with varied interests, from creative writing to environmental advocacy. There is one thing that they share, though: they’re all passionate about producing articles that are not only interesting to read but also useful for anyone reading!
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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