EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 07
Series of 2021
AN ORDER PLACING THE ENTIRE DAVAO DEL NORTE PROVINCE UNDER THE MODIFIED GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (MGCQ) BEGINNING 01 MARCH 2021 UNTIL 31 MARCH 2021
WHEREAS, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) global pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization continues to be a very serious threat to public health, which has already affected the lives of the Filipino people and disruption in the economy;
WHEREAS, on 16 September 2020, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued Proclamation No. 1021, s. 2020, extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines until 21 September 2021;
WHEREAS, Section 16 of the Local Government Code states that every Local Government Unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare;
WHEREAS, pursuant to this mandate and in consideration of the current public health emergency faced by the country due to the COVID-19 threats, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte implemented measures such as placing restrictions in the entire province to control and prevent COVID-19 outbreak, pursuant to the recommendations of the National Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID);
WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has implemented community quarantine restrictions of varying levels nationwide to counter the further spread of the virus in other areas of the country;
WHEREAS, Davao del Norte Province is currently placed under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) classification among other identified risk areas in the country due to the rising number of COVID-19 local and community transmissions;
WHEREAS, the Office of the President through its Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, recently declared on 27 February 2021 that Region XI, except Davao City will be placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) for the period: March 01-31, 2021;
WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases(IATF-EID) has issued the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of the Community Quarantine, which includes the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), among others;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDWIN I. JUBAHIB, Governor of the Province of Davao del Norte, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:
Section 1. Declaration. It is hereby declared that the Province of Davao del Norte shall be placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) beginning 01 March 2021 until 31 March 2021.
Section 2. General Policies and Guidelines. In accordance with Section 5 of the IATF-EID Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines (with amendments as of 21 January 2021), the following general rules and policies are provided while on MGCQ, to wit:
1. Wearing of face shield and face mask is required in all public places. Other minimum public health standards, such as but not limited to wearing of personal protective equipment, temperature checking, sanitizing, observing social distancing and not talking face-to-face without wearing a face mask and face shield shall be complied with at all times. All government and private offices/establishments shall strictly implement a “No Face Mask and Face Shield, No Transaction” Policy.
2. Checkpoints in all entry points of Davao del Norte Province shall remain operational.
3. The movement of all persons in areas placed under MGCQ shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate and for other activities permitted hereunder.
4. Any person below 10 years old, those who are over 65 years of age and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices.
5. Indoor and outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of face masks and face shields and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed. For this purpose, the prohibition in Section 2(4) above does not apply. Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises shall be prohibited (As amended by Paragraph A(4)(c) of IATF Resolution No. 43, June 03, 2020 and Paragraph B of IATF Resolution No. 56, July 16, 2020).
6. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50% of the seating or venue capacity.
7. Limited face-to-face or in-person classes may be conducted in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) provided there is strict compliance with the minimum public health standards, consultation with the Local Government Unit and compliance with the guidelines set by CHED.
Face-to-face TVET training and competency assessment may be conducted at up to 50% training and assessment site capacity, provided there is strict compliance with minimum public health standards, TESDA guidelines, and consultation with the Local Government Unit.
The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the Department of Education shall be adopted for K-12 Basic Education.
8. Work in all public and private offices may be allowed to resume physical reporting to work at full operational capacity, with alternative work arrangements for persons who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women.
9. Private and public transportation shall be allowed at such capacity and protocols as provided for by the Department of Transportation and the Local Government Unit.
10. All public and private construction projects shall be allowed subject to strict compliance with the construction safety guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
11. Only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid DOT accreditation shall be allowed to accommodate guests and clients for legitimate purposes under a state of public health emergency. The operations of such hotels and accommodation establishments, as well as ancillary establishments within their premises such as restaurants, cafes, gyms, spas, function halls, and the like, shall be subject to guidelines issued by the DOT and IATF.
12. All permitted establishments and activities mentioned under Section 2(4) of the IATF-EID Omnibus Resolution shall be allowed to operate or be undertaken at full operational capacity. In addition, the following sectors or industries shall be allowed to operate at an operational capacity provided herein:
• Category I Industries- Power, energy, water, and other utilities, agriculture, fishery, and forestry industries, food manufacturing and food supply chain businesses, including food retail establishments such as supermarkets, grocery stores, and food preparation establishments insofar as take-out and delivery services, food delivery services, health-related establishments, the logistical sector, information technology and telecommunication companies, the media, at full operational capacity;
• Category II Industries- Mining and other manufacturing, and electronic commerce companies, as well as other delivery, repair and maintenance, and housing and office services, at anywhere between 50% up to full operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements; and
• Category III Industries- Financial services, legal and accounting and auditing services, professional, scientific, technical, and other non-leisure services, barber shops, salon, and other non-leisure wholesale and retail establishments from skeleton workforce to 50% operational capacity, and without prejudice to work-from-home and other alternative work arrangements. Other list of Category III industries must be referred to the latest DTI Memorandum Circular providing for the allowable operational capacity of business establishments or activities.
Category IV and all other establishments not permitted to operate under previous sections of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines shall be allowed at a maximum of 50% operational capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the DTI is authorized to issue a negative list of industries which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ.
13. Work in government offices may be at full operational capacity, or under such alternative work arrangements as agencies may deem appropriate in accordance with the relevant rules and regulation issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
14. Accredited diplomatic missions and international organizations may resume full operations.
15. All private and public establishments are required to adopt and use the QR Code scanning in their respective places.
16. The use and implementation of the QR Code shall remain enforced and governed by the policies and guidelines provided under Section 3 of Executive Order No. 53, series of 2020.
17. The LGU shall ensure the efficient supervision of crowd management in their public markets, emphasizing on the strict implementation of minimum health protocols.
18. Wakes for the dead shall be allowed for a maximum of nine (9) days only. Funeral services shall be limited to 50% of the venue capacity; The number of groups allowed in open-air memorial parks at any given time shall be left to the discretion of the management of such memorial parks and cemeteries taking into consideration minimum public health standards and social distancing.
19. Curfew hours from 11:00 PM to 4:00AM is strictly implemented. Exempted from the curfew hours are members of the COVID-19 Crisis Management and Response Team, emergency vehicles, health workers, and those who are required to work within the curfew period.
20. Purchase of liquors/alcoholic drinks is allowed from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except to minors. However, consumption is strictly prohibited in public places, such as restaurants, cafeterias, bars, and the like.
21. Gambling activities such as derby/cockfighting is strictly prohibited. Property owners where the said gambling activity was held and barangay officials of the said locality who failed to implement this policy shall be held liable under applicable laws.
22. All other guidelines for interzonal and intrazonal movement shall be referred to Section (7) of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines.
23. The standardized travel protocols for land, sea, and air as provided under Memorandum dated 27 February 2021 of the Department of Transportation must be adopted in all Local Government Units (LGUs) of the Province.
In consideration of Item (3) thereof, Local Government Units (LGUs) may require mandatory testing for travelers from outside Region XI prior to their entry/return to the LGU, such as but not limited to RT-PCR.
Section 3. Separability Clause. If any part, section or provisions of these Executive Order is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 4. Penalty Clause. Any violations thereof shall be dealt with under our existing laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
Section 5. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect on 01 March 2021 and shall remain in full force unless revoked or amended.
ISSUED this 28th day of February 2021, in Tagum City, Davao del Norte Province, Philippines.
EDWIN I. JUBAHIB
Governor
