BELOW is the experience of Sheena Roda Molina as she flew home to General Santos City in August 2021.
“I work in an insurance company based in Ortigas, Pasig who was given the privilege to work from home (WFH) during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). On July 30, we read on the news that NCR plus Bubble will be placed under another ECQ. Our company adjusted and set up a WFH-mode for the whole month of August.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I immediately booked a flight from Manila to General Santos City, my hometown, on Aug. 4, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. I checked all the flight requirements through the airline’s website and found that I only needed to secure a negative RT-PCR test, and the usual QR codes such as Traze and Tapat.
On the day of my flight, I was a little perplexed about the long queue at the airport. It turned out airline personnel were checking documents. Fortunately, I was early, about 7:00 in the morning, thus I was calm and collected. The document checker allowed me passage once my Negative RT-PCR Test Result and Boarding Pass were verified.
Our flight was on time hence we arrived at around 12:30 in the afternoon. When we disembarked at the General Santos International Airport, we had to form a line to wash our hands at the wash area, then passed a temperature check before entering the airport building. We were guided to form another line for another round of document checking/screening.
The queuing was arranged for residents of General Santos and non-residents. For city residents, we were given a form to accomplish. After which, we were picked by our respective Barangays as no family/relative or anyone is allowed to enter the airport to fetch passengers. In my case, I was brought to the Barangay Isolation Facility at Jose Catolico Elementary School in Lagao. The healthcare workers again checked our documents and advised that we needed to undergo the 14-day mandatory quarantine. For seven days, we will be isolated in the Barangay Isolation Unit (BIU) leaving us only two options: either we stay in one of two accredited hotels (own expense/food not provided) or stay at the elementary school for free (no expense/free food provided). Moreover, the next seven days will be devoted to home quarantine if one’s house is suitable. I chose to stay at the elementary school as it was cost-efficient.
At around 4:30 p.m. of the same day, weary and exhausted from the long process, I was finally settled in one of the classrooms. A folding bed was provided. I requested my family to send beddings, pillows, extension wire, and everything that I needed so I can work.
Meanwhile, on the seventh day of quarantine, we were taken to a Testing Center for our RT-PCR test. Unfortunately for me, I was extended for another three days at the BIU since our house hosts two senior citizens and children, and thus considered not suitable for quarantine.
Only when my Negative RT-PCR Test Result was released on the 10th day was I finally allowed to continue with my home quarantine. I was driven to our family home by the Barangay assigned vehicle. After the 14th day, I was advised to get my Certificate of Quarantine.
To sum it up, although long and tiring, the whole process was already well-coordinated and organized. Setting aside the RT-PCR test that I obtained in Manila, the long queues, and the extensive quarantine, I had no prior coordination with the local government of General Santos or Barangay Lagao before my flight. We were guided as we went along.
Moreover, the staff of Barangay Lagao were all kind and helpful plus I was not able to spend a single penny on my quarantine as I chose the free option.
Although there were times during my quarantine that I felt the unfairness fully knowing that some could just visit General Santos without complying with the mandatory quarantine, I just felt at peace that at least I went home without compromising the health of my family even if I am fully vaccinated.
I just wished our local government unit of General Santos would post updated information and proper communication on travel processes on their Facebook Page or Website regularly so travelers can plan ahead.”
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
