to workers Entire Caraga region now placed under ECQ after confirming first COVID-19 case

Entire Caraga region Regional News

now placed under ECQ after confirming first COVID-19 case

By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales

BUTUAN CITY - The Caraga Regional Task Force on COVID-19 or One Caraga Shield placed the entire Caraga region under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on April 6 after the confirmation of its first case of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to the task force chairperson and Agusan del Norte provincial governor Hon. Dale Corvera, there will now be limitations to the movement of the different stakeholders in the region, particularly in disallowing the entry of non-residents of the different cities in the region. Regional News

Curbing the transmission of the disease is their priority hence their continued cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in order to come up with appropriate interventions on the issues surrounding ECQ.

“We view the implementation of ECQ as not only as necessary but the only appropriate measure to prevent the disease from being transmitted further,” he added.

This prompted the police force in the region to heighten its surveillance in the region. Apart from permitting entry to select individuals in the region, quarantine passes will now be given to each household. The local government urged Caraganons to avail the programs of the government that are intended to provide assistance such as the Social Amelioration Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers – Barangay Ko, Buhay Ko (TUPAD – BKBK) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

PNP Caraga regional director PBGen. Joselito Esquivel, Jr. also bared that the delivery of primary commodities sourced within the region will continue. However, goods coming from areas outside Caraga will be subjected to closer inspection.

He also clarified that the guidelines that the police force in Caraga will be following are those issued by the Inter Agency Task Force on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (IATFEID) on the exercise of police force under ECQ.

In Butuan City, one quarantine pass shall be given to each family in the city. The city government has also issued a directive to suspend the operations of public utility vehicles.

Meanwhile, local authorities are ready to provide assistance to individuals who will be greatly affected with the implementation of ECQ, such as the indigent, the elderly, and those who became unemployed. In addition, he reminded the local police units that they do not allow abiding protocols that are not in line with the said guidelines.

They also warned against the spread of false information pertaining COVID-19 among the public. Those who will be found guilty shall face liabilities that may result in imprisonment. (PIACaraga)