CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Noting Cagayan de Oro as the only local government unit (LGU) yet that allows 15 years old and above to go out of their homes for non-essential purposes, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 is monitoring the response of other LGUs for such concern.
“Wala pa’y nahibal-an nga desisyon (We still don’t know the decision) from our mayors. We are still waiting for information as to what’s the wisdom of our local chief executives allowing minors to go inside the malls,” DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe said during the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, December 4.
Effective December 1, 2020, through Executive Order No. 165, CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno orders the removal of home restriction to those who are 15 years old and over, and those who are 60 years old but not over 65 years old considering the community quarantine level of the city.
“Due to the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the city during the past several weeks, coupled with the need to increase the time in operation of business establishments to further enhance local economic activities, some of the restrictions need to be adjusted,” Moreno said.
For his part, Agabe stressed that they are still waiting for the directives of DILG Sec. Eduardo Año since the latter is still in dialogue with the mayors from Metro Manila, which is currently under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
“For permitted activities, that could continue to be allowed to be performed. We should always be guided with the Inter Agency Task Force resolution as to what’s allowed and not allowed,” Agabe added.
On the IATF Omnibus Guidelines with amendments as of November 19, 2020, 15 years old and below, 65 years old and above, pregnant women, and those with comorbidity are required to remain in their residences at all times except for accessing essential purposes and other activities permitted by the IATF.
Also under the said omnibus, indoor and outdoor non-contact sports, and other forms of exercise such as but not limited to walking, jogging, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, range shooting, and skateboarding are allowed for areas under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).
“Provided, that the minimum public health standards such as the wearing of masks and the maintenance of social distancing protocols, and no sharing of equipment where applicable, are observed,” Agabe added.
As of December 4, there are a total of 6,577 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northern Mindanao, wherein 5,422 have recovered, 196 have expired, and 959 are recovering. (RTP/PIA10)
