What to Expect When Baguio City Transitions to GCQ
What to Expect When Baguio City Transitions to GCQ
In an UGNAYAN held this afternoon, May 13, 2020, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, BGHMC and CHSO officials discussed what residents of Baguio should expect after ECQ is lifted after May 15, 2020.
What Should Be Expected After May 15
Gradual Opening of Some Sectors
According to Mayor Magalong, the GCQ in the City of Baguio will be almost the same with the ECQ. The only difference however, will be the gradual opening of different sectors or business establishments within the city.
“Walang pagbabago ganon pa rin. ECQ pa rin tayo. GCQ pero actually ‘yong implementation is almost ECQ parin. So we will continue to implement a 24-hour curfew. Magbubukas lang tayo ng iba-ibang sector, iba-ibang business establishment.”
– Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, on live UGNAYAN, May 13, 2020
According to the mayor, the first sector to open in the city is the construction. He also mentioned that malls will open under GCQ. However, leisure establishments within malls such as games and movie houses will remain close.
On the other hand, supermarkets, drugstores, and some portions of mall department stores will also be allowed to open. Other businesses mentioned by the mayor include parlors and barbershops, appliance stores, and auto supply shops.
The mayor also said that generally, Sunday will remain as a TOTAL LOCKDOWN DAY which shall be considered as a day for seniors and PWDs to go out to buy essentials.
Persons Allowed to Leave their Homes
According to the mayor, the city will follow the national guideline set for persons who will be allowed to leave their homes.
He said that authorized people outside residences (APORs) include those who work in businesses falling under sectors that will be allowed to operate.
Mayor Magalong emphasized that people ages 21 and below and senior citizens at 60 years old and above, will not be allowed to leave their homes. RELATED: Senior Citizens are Not Allowed Outside of their Homes Except
Public Transportation
[As of May 13, 2020] According to the mayor, the fare matrix during GCQ will remain the same and that there will be no doubling of the rate for Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs).
“Right now, around 120 ang lumalabas na jeepneys ngayon and we are subsidizing each jeepney by as much as Php 300.00.” On the other hand, the mayor mentioned that around 60 to 80 taxis are out on the streets right now.
To support construction and other sectors that will be allowed to operate by next week, Mayor Magalong said that around 480 jeepneys and 300 taxis will be out.
Coding Scheme During GCQ in Baguio
[UPDATED MAY 15, 2020]
Just this afternoon, The City Government has released a new number coding scheme under GCQ.
[As of May 13, 2020] Mayor Magalong said that private vehicles (incl. those of APORs) will only be allowed three times a week with this schedule:
- Plate Numbers Ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Plate Numbers Ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
The mayor said that APORs have to take public transportation on days they’re not allowed to use their private vehicles. However, an exception to this rule is special transport services.
Furthermore, he also said that the Traffic Management Working Group is fixing the scheme to be followed by taxis. For PUJs, there will be a schedule to be followed as agreed upon by the federation.
Opening of Burnham Park and Athletic Bowl for Sports
People who would like to exercise and jog at Burnham Park, Athletic Bowl or along roads and streets may do so, following the assigned schedule. For more details about the opening of the Burnham Park and the assigned schedule for exercises, refer to this article.
Market Schedule During GCQ in Baguio
With regard to market schedules, Mayor said that it will still be the same. Communities in the barangays will only be allowed to go to the market twice a week. Those who need to go to the market during the implementation of GCQ shall comply with the old schedule.
Use of Quarantine Passes During GCQ in Baguio
According to Mayor Magalong, even after ECQ, quarantine passes will still be needed when going outside. The mayor made it clear that there will be separate quarantine passes for wellness/fitness and for market-goers.
Operation of Baguio City Hall During GCQ
“After GCQ, for two weeks, we’ll stick the 50% work arrangement (50% work from home, 50% work on-site),” said Mayor Magalong.
Departments are now being asked to submit their scheduling and the mayor said that there will be assignment of specific workloads for assessment of the employees’ performance.
Mayor Magalong also emphasized that city hall employees are needed in order to provide necessary services to the people.
“We will continue with the 50%. We will not modify the work schedule. There will be no four-day-a-week schedule as we need to have people in the office seven days a week.”
On Online Transactions in the City Hall
The mayor said that talks with two telecommunications companies have been delayed due to the COVID-19 situation.
However, he mentioned that the new process in building permit application will be implemented where applicants don’t need to pass requirements personally. With this new process, documents will be submitted online.
The pilot test for this project may be in the third week of May, he added.
COVID-19 Testing During GCQ in Baguio
“Alam po natin na kaagapay nitong GCQ dapat may kasamang mass testing ‘yan kasi useless yung pag-oopen up natin kung hindi naman natin naa-identify kung sino’ng positive.”
– BGHMC Chief Dr. Ricardo Runez Jr.
According to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Chief Dr. Ricardo Runez Jr., they are expanding their capabilities, test kits, consumables, and automated extraction machines.
SOURCE: PIO Baguio
How do you feel about this?
pano po yung mga nastranded ng 2months(ecq) na hindi taga rito sa baguio ,may public transpo. Po bang masasakyan pauwe ng PANGASINAN. ? Sana may private vehicle na mag hatid pauwe(Balik probinsya program)