By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz— This city was placed under state of calamity due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.
In a special session Sunday afternoon, the Sangguniang Panlungsod(SP) unanimously approved the resolution declaring a state of calamity so that local officials can use their calamity funds.
The city council also approved a resolution implementing curfew hours on all students and senior citizens.
Another resolution asking village officials to assist in the strict implementation of Enhanced Border Restriction in the barangays was also approved.
Meanwhile, the city government has closed its boundaries at barangays Bato, Candual, Daga in Panay town and Intampilan in Panitan town by putting fences and dumping gravel on the road.
TAPAZ LOCKDOWN
Meanwhile, the town of Tapaz strictly implemented the enhanced community quarantine or general lockdown
The lockdown was enforced via Executive Order No. 20-03-13 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Roberto “Nonong” Palomar said the order prohibits residents from going out unnecessarily. It also prohibited strangers from entering the town.
Palomar said checkpoints have been placed at the entrance and exit points of the town while curfew will be imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“Although there was no reported positive case of COVID-19, we don’t have to wait for that to come,” he said.
He clarified that exempted from the restrictions are those government officials and employees performing their jobs; medical, health and humanitarian workers in other provinces performing in their jobs and functions; and patients under chemotherapy and hemodialysis; traders of goods, among others.
The mayor also ordered the mandatory quarantine of residents who wanted to go out of the town. The residents are obliged to show their barangay quarantine pass.
The chief executive said the groceries are open but social distancing should be observed.
As part of the precautionary measures, Incident Command System was reactivated to protect the people of Tapaz.
