EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 24
Series of 2021

AN ORDER EXTENDING THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE MODIFIED GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (MGCQ) IN DAVAO DEL NORTE PROVINCE UNTIL 30 JUNE 2021 AND PROVIDING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES THEREFOR

 

WHEREAS, Section 15 Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them;

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, 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 continues to be under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until 31 May 2021 as recommended in the IATF Resolution No. 113-A dated 29 April 2021.

WHEREAS, while deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in the Province through the National Vaccination Program is ongoing, continued implementation of proactive measures and restrictions must be put in place to slow down the surge in COVID-19 cases, stop further spread of variants, buy time for the health system to cope, and to protect more lives;

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;

WHEREFORE, to strike a balance between public health and the economy, maintaining the Province under its present quarantine classification is considered reasonable unless otherwise recommended by IATF-EID;

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 remain under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) until 30 June 2021.

Section 2. Policies and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines are hereby ordered pursuant to Section 5 of IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines (with amendments as of 20 May 2021).

2.1. 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.

2.2. Checkpoints in all entry points of Davao del Norte Province shall remain operational.

2.3. The movement of all persons shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services from permitted establishments, for work in such establishments, or for such other activities allowed herein.

2.4. Any person below 15 years old, those who are over 65 years of age, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women shall be required to remain in their residences at all times; Provided that all activities and movements allowed under other sections of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines for the foregoing persons under stricter forms of community quarantine shall continue to be permitted under MGCQ.

2.5. Only indoor and outdoor non-contact sports are allowed. Non-contact sports shall refer to a sport or activity in which participants are physically separated throughout its duration; thus, minimizing the possibility of making any form of purposeful or accidental physical contact. Provided that, where applicable, the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing, and no sharing of equipment are observed. For this purpose, those below 15 years of age and above 65, may be allowed outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise.

2.6. All forms of gatherings shall secure a permit from the City/Municipal IATF through the Barangay Captain concerned where the gathering shall be held. Such gathering can be allowed up to 30% only of the seating or venue capacity. Provided, that participants shall strictly observe the minimum public health standards, and the establishments or venues where the gathering will take place shall strictly comply with ventilation standards as provided for under relevant issuances of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It shall be the responsibility of the barangay to monitor the compliance of the gathering while being conducted.

2.7. Face-to-face or in-person classes for basic education shall be suspended. The basic education sector shall operate in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Limited face-to-face or in-person classes for higher education and technical vocational education and training may be allowed, subject to the guidelines of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), respectively.

2.8. 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.

2.9. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall be fully operational, and shall operate at a minimum of 50% up to full on-site capacity as determined by the head of agency, in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

2.10. All construction projects shall be allowed subject to strict compliance with the construction safety guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

2.11. Officials and employees of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), may operate at full on-site capacity;

2.12. Only hotels or accommodation establishments with valid Department of Tourism (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.

2.13. All private offices may be allowed to operate anywhere between 50% to 100% on-site capacity, while encouraging work-from-home and other flexible work arrangements, where applicable.

2.14. The following establishments, persons, or activities shall not be permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken during MGCQ:

a) Entertainment venues such as karaoke bars, clubs, bars, concert halls, and theaters;
b) Fairs/Peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
c) All forms of gambling, including e-sabong licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation;
d) Public swimming pools of resorts; and
e) Buffet stations of restaurants.

The foregoing is likewise without prejudice to the authority of DTI to issue a negative list of industries which shall remain prohibited even in areas under MGCQ.

2.15. The Quick Response (QR) Code scanning must be intensified in all cities and municipalities of the province. The use and implementation of the QR Code shall be governed by the policies and guidelines provided under Section 3 of Executive Order No. 53, series of 2020.

2.16. Without prejudice to the implementation of DavNor QR Code, law enforcement agencies shall recognize any of the following IDs:

a) IATF IDs issued by the regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over permitted establishments or persons;
b) Valid IDs or other pertinent documents issued by accrediting organizations or establishments allowed under MGCQ; and
c) If required by the LGU, local IDs for availing of essential goods and services.

No other IDs or passes specifically exempting persons from community quarantine shall be required of workers of permitted establishments and/or offices without prejudice to requiring the presentation of other documents establishing the nature of their work.

2.17. The movement of cargo/delivery vehicles as well as vehicles used by public utility companies shall be unhampered. Shuttle services of permitted establishments shall not be subject to an ID System but shall maintain compliance with the minimum public health standards.

2.18. The LGU shall ensure the efficient supervision of crowd management in their public markets, emphasizing on the strict implementation of minimum health protocols.

2.19. Wakes for the dead shall be allowed for a maximum of five (5) days only and exclusive for immediate family only. Funeral services shall be limited to 30% 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.

2.20. 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.

2.21. 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.

2.22. All other guidelines for interzonal and intrazonal movement shall be referred to Section (7) of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines.

Section 3. Penalty Clause. Any violations of the foregoing provisions shall constitute non-cooperation of the person or entities punishable under Section 9 par. (d) or (e), as the case may be and under our existing laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Section 4. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect on 01 June 2021 and shall remain in full force unless revoked or rescinded.

ISSUED this 31st day of May 2021, in Tagum City, Davao del Norte Province, Philippines.

 

EDWIN I. JUBAHIB
Governor