SAN JOSE, Antique – The provincial government of Antique is not recognizing the fresh restrictions ordered by the regional interagency task force (IATF) against coronavirus disease, according to Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
The regional IATF has adopted the provisions of National IATF Resolution No. 104 dated March 20, 2021 which temporarily restricted the entry of non-essential travellers to Western Visayas.
“Regarding sa regional IATF nga restrictions, we are not recognizing that. Wara man sanda nag-consult sa mga governors kag mayors. Nagpaguwa lang sanda dayon ka bag-o nga resolution,” said Cadiao.
The regional IATF listed the “essential travelers” allowed to travel into and outside Western Visayas from March 23 to April 4. These were the following: health and emergency frontline services personnel; government officials and government frontline personnel; duly-authorized humanitarian assistance actors; persons travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons; persons going to the airport for travel abroad; anyone crossing zones for work or business and going back home; and returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers.
It also identified the types of persons “temporarily restricted to enter Western Visayas subject to the provisions of the national IATF”. These were the returning residents of Western Visayas from Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and National Capital Region; and inbound individuals from Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and National Capital Region whose purpose is for vacation and leisure.
Cadiao said there is no lockdown in Antique.
“Bukot tuod ri-a,” she stressed.
However, returning Antiqueños must still follow Executive Order (EO) 35-B, series of 2021, she said.
In EO 35-B, returning Antiqueños are required to undergo a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) test and secure a Notice of Acceptance and Coordination from their local government unit (LGU).
According to Cadiao, if she had his way, she won’t require an RT-PCR test from returning Antiqueños.
“Syempre, nayawan run gane to ang mga kasimanwa natun sa Manila. Kaluoy man sanda. Wara sanda ti kwarta. Tapos bigla-bigla mapanaog sanda resolution nga ga-require ka swab test. We are talking about Antiqueños who lost their jobs, those were displaced, Antiqueños who lost their income in Manila and they are coming home to Antique with their whole family. Mayad e kon sara lang e-swab. Paano kon bilog nga pamilya, tapos ma gastos ikaw kang P4,500 kada isara. That is too much,” said Cadiao.
The governor also suggested that Antiqueños coming home should take the flight from Manila to Antique via Philippine Airlines (PAL) or Starlite Ferries from Batangas to Lipata Port, Culasi.
“Kon sa iloilo or Aklan sanda mag-agi, I’m sure they will have a hard time. I really suggest for those Antiqueños nga maga-uli sa Antique, take PAL (Manila to Antique) and Starlite Ferries via Antique para mas madali kaninyo,” Cadiao said./PN
