BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order regulating the entry of Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) from outside of Region VI through additional health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Executive Order No. 51 states that Bacolod must take necessary action to curtail the rising Covid-19 infections through local transmission by regulating the entry of APORs.
With several APORs in Bacolod testing positive of the virus, the executive order pointed out they are considered as among the possible causes for the increased local transmissions of the virus in the city.
Leonardia said that all APORs will be allowed entry into Bacolod City, without undergoing a 14-day quarantine, after presenting a government-issued ID, inter-agency task force against coronavirus (IATF) or Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) ID, or valid company ID or certificate of employment.
They are also required to present certificate of work schedule by their supervising officers or employers showing the number of days of stay in the city, travel order for government officials and personnel, or proof of engagement of their services, or mission order for military and police personnel
The APORs should also present their RT-PCR Covid-19 negative test result released within three days before their entry to Bacolod and return ticket clearly showing the date and time of departure from the city.
APORs should comply with the usual health screening procedures and fill out health declaration forms upon their arrival.
Delivery personnel, i.e. drivers and helpers of essential goods and cargoes originating from outside Region VI, should also be required to present an RT-PCR Covid-19 negative result which should be considered valid within 14 days from the release date.
The expenses for the RT-PCR Covid-19 tests for APORs from the private sector will be shouldered by them or by their employers.
APORs from the National Capital Region, Cebu City, or areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), and who intend to stay in Bacolod for more than seven days will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the city at a hotel, inn or accommodation establishment accredited by the city, at their own expense.
Exemptions to the requirements are the President and his staff, the Vice President and her staff, senators and congressmen, including their chiefs of staff, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and Sandiganbayan Justices;
Ombudsman and deputy Ombudsman, commissioners of Constitutional Commissions, department secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries, regional and provincial directors of national government agencies, or their duly authorized representatives while in the performance of their duties, members of the judiciary and prosecutors, whose assignment or jurisdiction require them to conduct hearings and/or perform their duties in the city.
Members of the military and enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, are also exempted provided they present the necessary mission order, travel order, or any document or proof that their travel into the city is for enlistment or employment.
Leonardia said APORs who fail to comply with the requirements will be denied entry to Bacolod.*CGS
