DILG XII RD Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, urged local government officials that it’s ‘about time’ to prepare their ‘post-lockdown economic plans’ in anticipation for the gradual easing of the community quarantine measures in the region.
With a few days before the supposed deadline of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Region XII, Director Leysa RD issued the call, together with the Regional Covid 19 Task Force and Task Group, to ensure that all LGUs will be in lockstep with the rest in the Region.
“It is really vital to be ready with your own economic plans and activities to ensure that our communities will be able to bounce back quickly. By this time, I hope you were able to identify the most vital business sectors that need to be primed again, especially those that provide the basics, with minimum contacts among the players and will somehow alleviate the financial needs of those involved,” Rd Leysa stated.
In a videoconference on April 24, both the Regional IATF on Covid 19 and the Regional Inter-agency Task Group called for the adoption of a resolution “enjoining the LGUs of Region XII to commence/ continue the Formulation of their Local Economy Re-Start Plan” in a bid to address the possible restart of the economy after the month-long period of ‘dormancy’.
The ECQ has limited all activities and movements of people in the whole Region, except for those who are considered as “Authorized Persons outside Residences” (APORs) which include government workers, medical frontliners, funeral workers, food handlers, PNP and the military, among others.
Latest updates on Covid 19 from DOH XII has been quite promising, with no reported new cases for more than 16 days (since April 7).
The date for the possible lifting or downgrading of the ECQ had been set to April 30, which was synched with the national deadline, as unanimously approved by both the members of the Regional IATF for Covid 19 and the Regional Task Group. The said deadline, however, had been extended by President Duterte to May 15.
Both the TF and the TG have agreed to downgrade the status in the whole region from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), with provincial borders still being locked and secured with only the essentials being allowed in and out of Region XII.
Rd Leysa sees hope in the compliance of all local chief executives in the Region.
“In our regular teleconferences, I can see the commitment, open-mindedness and well-meant intentions of our officials. The approval of this resolution shows that our officials are all aware of the difficulties of their constituents and if they have their way, they would all want to end this lockdown. But the safety of our communities from Covid 19 should be considered as well. I believe, we have to strike a balance between the two,” RD Leysa explained further.
