As the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Antique to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has also been extended, the provincial government has also provided health care workers and other essential frontliners with protection against discrimination.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao signed Executive Order No. 40 recently extending the ECQ until end of April.
“Words are fruitless to thank them for their remarkable spirit of cooperation in their collective cause against COVID-19.”
“Words are fruitless to thank our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers, the men in uniform, the members of the media and others in the front line for their heroic deeds, as well as our officials in the local government units and their constituents for their remarkable spirit of cooperation in their collective cause against COVID-19,” her EO said.
Cadiao, who previously received complaints of discrimination, said that anyone discriminating against health workers shall be penalized based on applicable laws.
In the EO, Cadiao said health workers and essential frontliners and the public are strongly encouraged to report any form of discrimination to the proper authorities for appropriate action.
Meantime, Cadiao, as stated in the order, said that it is not yet the moment for Antique to lower down its guard against COVID-19 as the province at present has two confirmed cases.
“Whereas for close to a month now we have been experiencing difficult and trying times in many ways and many fronts as we defended ourselves against an incorporeal and unseen adversary, the dreaded COVID-19,” the EO stated.
The confirmed positive cases were from Semirara Island in Caluya town and the municipality of Pandan. Test results were released April 7 and 9, respectively.
“It is mandatory to use face masks while going to public places.”
In the EO, Cadiao made mandatory the use of face masks while going to public places, and during the transport of essential goods between towns, including the municipality of Pandan and in Semirara island where there is a temporary lockdown. Fisherfolks and farmers are allowed to continue with their regular activities so as not to affect food production.
The mandatory use of face mask was not stipulated in previous executive orders while fisherfolks and farmers were earlier encouraged to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.
The EO also mandates that local border checkpoints situated along the national highway be manned by personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“As for the barangay officials and tanods (village watchmen), they are advised to look after their interior roads,” Cadiao said.