Kalinga plans transition to GCQ, remains pro-active

May 3, 2020 Provincial

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Apr. 28 (PIA) –The provincial leaders firm up plans and rally everyone to stay united to fight a common enemy- the COVID 19- as the province shifts from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) on May 1, 2020.
As announced by President Rodrigo Duterte thru Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque last week, Kalinga is among the low-risk areas that will be placed under GCQ after the extended Luzon-wide ECQ ends on April 30. Kalinga remains free from COVID-19.
In a press conference at the Provincial Capitol on April 27, Governor Ferdinand Tubban assured continuing coordinated effort with municipal/city local government units including rounds on municipalities to check on their preparations for GCQ and on augmentation of relief assistance.
He said the executive branch in partnership with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are working to implement programs and projects covered by the Php42 million Bayanihan Grant to Provinces intended to fund health facilities, supplies and logistics to address COVID 19.
Vice Governor Dave Odiem also assured that the legislative body is always ready to authorize the use of funds on projects and activities related to Covid-19.
District Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang said resources to fight Covid-19 are provided under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act reiterating that Congress armed the national government with the necessary arsenal to finish this disease. We saw to it that LGUs will not grope in the dark on what to use to fight this dreaded disease, he said.
He added that financial assistance were also extended to frontliners and locked down constituents outside of Kalinga.
As pro-active measures to ensure the safety of everyone during the GCQ, provincial leaders want all barangays to establish isolation center as mandated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and municipal LGUs to have inventory of locked down constituents outside their areas and to strategize on how to deal with the possible entry of stranded constituents.
The Provincial InterAgency Task Force emphasized that stranded individuals are not Covid-19 positive and should not be denied entry to the province during GCQ. However, they have to follow protocols such as the 14-day quarantine.
The PIATF has coordinated with the Department of Education for signing of a memorandum of agreement on the use of classrooms as quarantine areas.
Homegrown systems/additional guidelines under GCQ will be discussed during meeting with local chief executives on April 29.
DILG Provincial Director Mayer Max Adong discussed that under GCQ, some quarantine guidelines will be relaxed such as selected workers in non-essential services will be allowed to go to work. He also presented the work sector of different categories: Category I – 100% to operate; Category II – 50%- 100% open work; Category III – 50% on site work and 50% work from home; Category IV – 100%
closure on non-essentials that are not related to health and food.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines assured to continue enforcing quarantine guidelines especially border controls, provide security on the distribution of cash subsidies and assist in relief operations.
Provincial PNP Director PCol. Russel Job Balaquit reported they apprehended 159 ECQ violators while 503rd Commanding Officer BGen. Henry Doyaoen said they provided assistance during food supply delivery and distribution. He also assured Kalinga State University that they will deliver learning modules to students in the villages for their flexible learning.
The provincial leaders appealed to individuals and other parties to set aside politics and to instead work as one on the objective so that no iKalinga will be left behind in this battle.
JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga