Antique Border Restriction: In a social media update from the Province of Antique, Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao together with members of the Antique Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force (PIATF) gathered for an emergency meeting to discuss possible measures to address the alarming rise of COVID-19 in the province.
The provincial IATF requests the governor to implement stricter border restrictions in all borders (Hamtic, Pandan, and Libertad) from April 05 to 19, 2021. The proposal will restrict incoming and outgoing persons with the exception of local chief executives, military, and other authorized persons outside of resident (APOR) and will only allow essential services. Essential services include gasoline, food, and medicine. Leisure travel, meanwhile, are restricted.
Apart from that, the province will also be proposing to the RIATF to suspend commercial flights.
Moreover, the province will be under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) status but will implement border restrictions to limit people going in and out of Antique.
Governor Cadiao has also realigned the budget from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) to supplement the needs of those deployed in provincial borders. Furthermore, Cadiao is hoping that Antiquenos will understand the measures, as it intends to contain the spread of virus in the province.
An executive order will follow.
Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda has also issued a statement regarding the matter.
“I wish to convey my deepest gratitude and sincerest appreciation for our Antiqueño health workers and frontliners for all your hard work, dedication, and sacrifices. Your unparalleled service to our province and for our kasimanwa is needed now more than ever, and rest assured that we shall also continue to give our full support and assistance as we have been doing so since the start of this pandemic.
I also support the decision of the Provincial IATF, which will be issued tomorrow, Sunday, April 4, to temporarily close our borders with neighboring provinces, seaports, and airports to help contain the spread of the virus and keep our people safe and protected.
Our LGUs must continue to strictly monitor COVID-19 positive cases and PUMs and we shall continue to provide free medical assistance and aids to patients, persons under quarantine, and to the affected families, under existing rules and guidelines and in coordination with the appropriate agencies. Allow travel and movements of essential workers only, and subject to the strict implementation of health and safety protocols: wear masks and face shields, observe physical distancing, sanitize, and wash hands frequently, among others.
Lastly, I appeal to everyone to refrain from spreading fake news or sowing negativity. We need everyone’s cooperation and support so we can all together succeed in fighting this COVID-19 virus. Keep safe and God bless.”
