By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday issued an executive order releasing the implementing rules and regulations on enforcing the city’s general community quarantine. Based on the copy of the order forwarded by the city government, movement within the city will be limited to accessing basic necessities and work only, medical and health workers, those travelling for medical or humanitarian reasons, authorized government officials; individuals providing basic services, and those moving primary commodities in and out of the city; while uniformed personnel and quarantine officers are deployed to conduct border patrols.
Checkpoints have also been placed along the city’s entry and exit points, which will be manned by members of the police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, City Health Office, and other government agencies.
Workers who live outside Bacolod City are required to present valid company ID when entering the city, while city residents who work outside the city are also required to present company ID when exiting.
A curfew was also imposed, however, instead of the earlier reported 9:00 p.m. start, the curfew is instead scheduled from 10:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.
The only exempted individuals allowed to move around the city during curfew hours are medical personnel, night-shift workers, public utility personnel, rescue personnel, religious ministers performing last sacraments, and public utility vehicle drivers.
The city is also asking parents to restrict outside activities for their children and encourage them to remain in their homes at all times under supervision.
Meanwhile, malls have also been asked to limit operations until 8:00 p.m.
The city is also encouraging local companies to adopt flexible working hours pursuant to the labor advisory earlier issued by the Department of Labor and Employment.
The quarantine measures are effective until 11:59 p.m. on April 14./DGB, WDJ