Benguet Gov stresses on sticking to essential travel,health protocols this MGCQ   

KAPANGAN,Benguet, July 16(PIA)—As the province transitions  from general community  quarantine(GCQ)  to modified GCQ effective today, Governor Melchor Diclas  calls on the  people of Benguet to  only go for essential travels  and to  stick  to  health  standards.

“Sa mga kababayan natin sa Benguet, nananawagan po tayo ulit na essential travel sana,  hindi ‘yung basta-basta na lang namamasyal para at least hindi na mag-bloat itong mga kaso natin. May mga health requirements pa rin ‘yung paggamit ng mask, paghugas ng kamay, palakasin ang resistensya,” Diclas said in the Laging Handa Network Briefing this morning hosted by PCOO Secrertary Martin Andanar.

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Presidential Spokesperson Harry announced last night the  status of  community quarantine of local government units  from July 16-30  in which  in the Cordillera Region, Benguet is placed under  MGCQ (with strict local action)  along with Baguio City. The provinces of Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province are under MGCQ low risk category.

Diclas  said   under the MGCQ,   community quarantine protocols maybe  more lax  but  some rules  especially on the controlled movement  of people  will  remain   in efforts to  control the spike of  COVID-19 cases in the province.   

Under the MGCQ, Diclas said schedule of marketing will be maintained so with the schedule by cluster of the delivery of vegetables to the trading posts in the capital town of La Trinidad.  Those 21 years and below and 60 years old and above should stay at home. Checkpoints will also be sustained.  

“Ime-maintain pa rin natin ang schedule ng marketing, babantayan pa rin natin ‘yung mga below 21 years old at 60 years old and above, pinaiigting pa rin natin ang mga checkpoints, at binawasan na natin ang mga nagde-deliver ng vegetables natin kasi may clustering ‘yan – MWF at TThS. Kalahati ‘yung nagde-deliver sa isang araw at saka sa isang araw. ‘Yung ang ipagpapatuloy pa natin for this MGCQ,” he said.

Diclas also clarified that tourism activities are not yet allowed in the province. Provincial  and  municipal  tourism officers are  discussing that  in the event  the  province  opens up its tourism  industry,  tourists are required to do pre-registration to determine the number of those  planning to visit.

Benguet at the moment has 10 active COVID-19 cases. The province has a total of 49 confirmed cases with 39 recoveries. (PIA CAR)