BY MAE SINGUAY AND DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – This city and the province of Negros Occidental will no longer appeal for a more lenient modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) after President Rodrigo Duterte placed both areas under GCQ starting July 1.
Bacolod City’s Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, head of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) here, said there’s no need for an appeal as this city is presently practicing curbs under the GCQ.
“Kon ano ang gusto sang National IATF, sundon ta,” said Familiaran.
He added that the difference between the MGCQ and the GCQ is the percentage allowed in gatherings – 30 percent for GCQ and 50 for MGCQ.
However, Familiaran said Mayor Evelio Leonardia has since ordered this limit to dine-in restaurants, fast food and food retail establishments, including those in supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments.
Barber shops, salons and other personal care service establishments are also at a maximum of 30 percent capacity, same with church/religious gatherings for holy mass prayers/worship services/similar activities.
Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events are also limited to 30 percent seating/venue capacity.
Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson also backed the decision made by the national government.
In a phone interview yesterday morning, Lacson said even though the province was placed under MGCQ for the month of June, like in Bacolod, they have been implementing guidelines that are supposed to be enforced under GCQ. He cited, for instance, the 30 percent capacity limit at various establishments.
Lacson added that placing the province under the stricter GCQ won’t make a difference, except several protocols such as senior citizens and minors not being allowed to go out of their homes, and closure of amusement parks.
“Even the Capitol Lagoon is only limited for adults and for physical exercises only,” Lacson said.
Even though Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque already stated that gatherings in GCQ areas are limited to a maximum of 30 to 50 percent, Lacson opted for a maximum 30 percent instead to control the spread of the coronavirus disease.
As for the current curfew hours in the province, Lacson said they would retain the 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, while the e–sabong (online cockfighting) will also be suspended until the province downgrades to MGCQ.
The governor is set to issue an executive order soon./PN
