EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 30
Series of 2021
AN ORDER PLACING THE ENTIRE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE UNDER GENERAL COMMUNITY QUARANTINE (GCQ) WITH HEIGHTENED RESTRICTIONS EFFECTIVE 26 JULY 2021 AND PROVIDING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES THEREFOR
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2020, the President issued Proclamation No. 1021 (s.2020) extending the period of the State of Calamity throughout the Philippines due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 declared under Proclamation No. 929 (s.2020);
WHEREAS, on March 30, 2020, to develop a science-based approach in determining the risk-based classification of areas in the country, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) convened a sub-Technical Working Group tasked to develop the LGU Epidemic Response Framework and to define parameters in assessing recent developments in the Philippine COVID-19 situation;
WHEREAS, upon the recommendations of the IATF Screening and Validation Committee, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issued Resolution No. 124 (s. 2021) dated 30 June 2021 directing the final risk-level classifications of Provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) and Independent Component Cities (ICCs), which included the Province of Davao del Norte under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until 15 July 2021;
WHEREAS, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) recently issued Resolution No. 127-A (s. 2021) dated 15 July 2021, extending the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in several Provinces including the Province of Davao del Norte until 31 July 2021;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the above IATF issuances, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte issued Executive Order No. 27, series of 2021 as duly amended by Executive Order No. 27-A, series of 2021 to put the entire Province of Davao del Norte under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), thereby adopting Section 3 of the latest IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines;
WHEREAS, while on MECQ, the Province sees the significant decrease of active COVID-19 cases as a result of the restrictions implemented aided by the sincere and heightened commitment of the Local Government Units to suppress the outbreak in the Province; notwithstanding the clamor of the business sector to open up business activities to save the economy;
WHEREFORE, to strike a balance between public health and the economy, the Provincial IATF recommends for the re-classification of the Province of Davao del Norte to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions, pursuant also to the directive of the National IATF to give a leeway for several business activities in the Province to regain control of their economic standing;
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) with heightened restrictions beginning 26 July 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.
2.5. Any person below 18 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. Gatherings are 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. Gatherings for necrological services, wakes, inurnment, funerals, including posthumous memorial services for those who died of causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed up to 30% of the venue capacity and shall be limited to immediate family members only.
2.11. Regular visits to memorial parks, cemeteries, and columbaria shall be limited to not more than 10 persons per group and not exceeding 30% of the venue capacity.
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 at 30% 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 during GCQ:
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) Horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, other gaming establishments, and all forms of gambling except as may be authorized by the IATF or the Office of the President for the purpose of raising revenue for the government;
e) Outdoor sports courts or venues for contact sports, scrimmages, games, or activities;
f) Restaurants offering buffet or boodle fight menus;
2.20. Food take-out and food delivery services shall be allowed to operate.
2.21. Restaurants, cafeterias, fast-food establishments, and the like are allowed to operate at 30% on-site capacity, provided that the following requirements are met:
a) Proper ventilation inside the establishment where enclosed air is consistently expelled and replaced with fresh or filtered air;
b) Dining tables are properly distanced from each other;
c) Plastic barriers are installed for dining tables intended for two (2) or more persons. Physical distancing between persons must also be observed.
d) Utensils, cutleries, glasses, bowls, plates, etc. are sterilized regularly. However, the use of disposable utensils, cutleries, etc. is highly recommended;
e) A separate area dedicated for take-out orders only.
2.22. 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.
2.23. 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 present quarantine classification of the Province; 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.
2.24. Inter-regional movement of person, private vehicles, cargo/delivery vehicles, as well as vehicles used by public utility companies going inside Region XI via Sitio Natulinan in Talaingod are allowed entry. Provided that drivers and their passengers can present their NEGATIVE RT-PCR result taken within 72 hours before they are allowed entry at the checkpoint of the Province.
2.25. The LGU shall ensure the efficient supervision of crowd management in their public markets, emphasizing on the strict implementation of minimum health protocols.
2.26. Wakes for the dead shall be allowed for a maximum of five (5) days only and shall be exclusive for immediate family only.
2.27. 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.
2.28. Purchase of liquors/alcoholic drinks is allowed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except to minors. However, consumption is strictly prohibited in public places, such as restaurants, cafeterias, bars, and the like.
2.29. 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. 27, series of 2021 as amended by Executive Order No. 27-A, series of 2021 is hereby repealed accordingly.
Section 5. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect on 26 July 2021 and shall remain in full force unless revoked.
ISSUED this 23rd day of July 2021, in Tagum City, Davao del Norte Province, Philippines.
EDWIN I. JUBAHIB
Governor
