EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 26
Series of 2021
AN ORDER PLACING THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE UNDER GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (GCQ) UNTIL 30 JUNE 2021 AND PROVIDING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES THEREFOR
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, 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 30 June 2021 as recommended by the National IATF;
WHEREAS, pursuant to this proclamation, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte issued Executive Order No. 24, series of 2021, placing the entire Province of Davao del Norte under MGCQ until 30 June 2021;
WHEREAS, while on MGCQ, there is a very alarming rise of COVID-19 infections in the Province and nearby areas in the Region, which poses a greater threat to the uninfected populace;
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 mitigate the worsening COVID-19 scenario in the Province, there is a need to strengthen the preventive measures appropriate to the present COVID-19 scenario of the Province by re-classifying the Province under GCQ through this executive order;
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. The Province of Davao del Norte shall be placed under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until 30 June 2021.
Section 2. Policies and Guidelines. The following policies and guidelines are hereby ordered pursuant to Section 4 of the latest IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines.
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 full-coverage 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. Travel or gatherings outside of the Province that are non-essential and for leisure purposes shall be prohibited until 30 June 2021 or as may be extended upon the recommendation of the Provincial IATF.
2.5. 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, except for obtaining essential goods and services, or for work in industries and offices or such other activities permitted in this Section.
2.6. All forms of gatherings shall be prohibited, except when they are permitted by the City/Municipal IATF through the Barangay Captain concerned where the gathering shall be held. Such gathering is 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 the 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 closely monitor the compliance of the gathering while being conducted.
2.7. Gatherings at residences with any person outside of one’s immediate household shall be prohibited;
2.8. Gatherings that are essential in nature such as for the provision of housing and settlement, public utilities, health and social services, other government essential services or humanitarian activities shall be allowed, provided that all minimum public health protocols and standards must be observed strictly.
2.9. Religious gatherings shall be allowed up to 30% of the venue capacity. Provided that there is no objection from the Local Government Unit where the religious gathering may take place.
2.10. Other religious services such as weddings, baptism, blessing, etc. shall not be allowed until 30 June 2021 or as may be extended upon the recommendation of the Provincial IATF, except those which were already scheduled prior to the issuance of this Executive Order.
2.11. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, and funerals for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 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.
2.12. Only outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of individual exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, diving, and skateboarding are allowed. Provided, that the minimum public health standards, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed. Provided further, that operation of the relevant clubhouses or similar establishments, if any, are compliant with the protocols prescribed by DTI. For this purpose, those below 18 years old of age and above 65, may be allowed to do outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise. Spectators in all non-contact sports and exercises shall be prohibited.
2.13. 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.
2.14. 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.
2.15. Agencies and instrumentalities of the government shall be fully operational, and shall operate at a minimum of 30% 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).
2.16. 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).
2.17. 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;
2.18. 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.
2.19. All establishments 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. However, the following establishments, persons, or activities shall not be permitted to operate, work, or be undertaken until 30 June 2021 or as may be extended upon the recommendation of the Provincial IATF:
a) Entertainment venues with live performers such as karaoke bars, clubs, bars, concert halls, and theaters;
b) Recreational venues such as internet cafes, billiard halls, amusement arcades, bowling alleys, and similar venues;
c) Amusement parks or theme parks, fairs/peryas, kid amusement industries such as playgrounds, playroom, and kiddie rides;
d) All forms of gambling, including e-sabong licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation;
e) Public beaches and public swimming pools of resorts;
f) Dine-in and buffet restaurants/cafeterias; and
g) Outdoor contact sports, scrimmages, games, or activities
2.20. Food take-out and food delivery services shall be allowed to operate.
2.21. 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.
2.22. 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;
a) Valid IDs or other pertinent documents issued by accrediting organizations or establishments allowed under present quarantine classification of the Province; and
b) 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.
2.23. 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.
2.24. The LGU shall ensure the efficient supervision of crowd management in their public markets, emphasizing on the strict implementation of minimum health protocols.
2.25. Wakes for the dead shall be allowed for a maximum of five (5) days only and shall be exclusive for immediate family only.
2.26. Curfew hours from 9:00PM 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.
2.27. 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.
2.28. All other guidelines for interzonal and intrazonal movement shall be referred to Section (7) of the IATF Omnibus Guidelines.
Section 3. Penalty Clause. Any violation of the foregoing provisions shall constitute non-cooperation of the person or entities and is punishable under our existing laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
Section 4. Repealing Clause. Executive Order No. 24, series of 2021 is hereby repealed accordingly.
Section 5. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect on 10 June 2021 and shall remain in full force unless revoked.
ISSUED this 9th day of June 2021, in Tagum City, Davao del Norte Province, Philippines.
EDWIN I. JUBAHIB
Governor
