RTF COVID-19 One Caraga Shield firms up plans for transition to GCQ

Governor Dale Corvera of Agusan del Norte and the chairperson of the Regional Task Force COVID19 - One Caraga Shield, appealed to all the Caraganons to continuously observe social distancing, as well as other health protocols and preventive measures imposed by the task force to ensure the protection of the people against the deadly disease. There were 50 barangays in Butuan City that have maintained the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) as it already has three confirmed COVID-19 cases recorded in the region. Hence, the local government unit enforces strict compliance of the people to the guidelines to ensure that local transmission is prevented. Governor Corvera also recalled that during the first day of GCQ implementation in the region, there were already several violators apprehended for not following and even showing concern on the harmful effects brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, with the GCQ implemented in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and selected barangays in Butuan City, Governor Corvera further called on the locals to observe the curfew hours, social distancing, wearing of face mask, and other preventive measures to avert the spread of said disease. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Regional News

RTF COVID-19 One Caraga Shield firms up plans for transition to GCQ By Amethyst Joy A. Galos

BUTUAN CITY - The Regional Task Force for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (RTF COVID-19) One Caraga Shield, during its 5th teleconference meeting held last April 29, 2020, discussed and laid out plans as the region shifts from the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) effective May 1, 2020.

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All provinces in Caraga Region were classified as low-risk areas and thus have transitioned to a more relaxed GCQ on May 1, 2020 following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) contained in IATF-IED Resolution No. 28, Series of 2020 and as articulated by Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque during press briefings last April 24 and 28, 2020. Meanwhile, Butuan City expressed its intent to the IATF-EID to exclude Butuan City from the planned transition to GCQ and continue to implement ECQ until May 15, 2020. This is considering that its COVID-19 situation is unique from the rest of the region, given its accelerated state due to the city’s three confirmed cases and the observed rising trend in COVID-19 suspect cases in the area. During the said meeting, the Task Force’s Technical Working Group (TWG) which is headed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga, taking into account the RTF COVID-19 One Caraga Shield and Caraga RDC chairperson governor Dale B. Corvera of the province of Agusan del Norte is joined by all the provincial governors, the city mayor of Butuan, and several congressional representatives from the region.

updated case numbers, health systems and testing capacity, and economic situation in the region, and given the national direction to place low-risk areas under GCQ, recommended to the RTF to consider implementing GCQ within the region with lockdown along its borders, subject to the approval of the IATF-EID. The said regional lockdown proposal is seen to protect the region from the potential spread of the virus from its high-risk neighbors.

Among the key resolutions passed during the meeting was RTF COVID-19 One Caraga Shield Resolution No. 22, Series 2020, entitled “A Resolution Implementing General Community Quarantine (GCQ) Within Caraga While Maintaining Lockdown Along Its Regional Borders, While Extending the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Butuan City for the Period May 1 to 15, 2020.”

During the meeting, the Task Force also discussed sector-specific guidelines and regional action plans relative to the implementation of GCQ in the region, as presented by various agency regional offices such as the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Ports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Maritime Industry Authority, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Furthermore, the Task Force also approved and adopted the proposed outlines and timelines for the Caraga Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan (RRP), which was presented by NEDA Caraga. The said plan document shall include assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 to various sectors as well as the outcomes, targets/indicators, strategies, and programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) to be implemented to mitigate the losses arising from the pandemic and are relevant under the “new normal” scenario.

Caraga Region maintains its no local transmission status with three confirmed cases, including one recovery, and 39 suspect cases as of April 29, 2020. (NEDA Caraga/PIACaraga)