La Trinidad Benguet Releases Amended Guidelines for MGCQ Implementation

Since the municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet has been placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) Medium-Risk status from July 15, 2020 to July 31, 2020, the Office of the Municipal Mayor has released an executive order regarding the amended guidelines for implementation.

Municipal Mayor Romeo Salda has signed Executive Order No. 54 s. 2020, amending the guidelines in view of the reversion from General Community Quarantine (GCQ) to Modified General Community Quarantine in the municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Guidelines for La Trinidad Benguet Under MGCQ

Here are the guidelines for the implementation of MGCQ in La Trinidad as per EO No. 54, s. 2020.

I. MINIMUM HEALTH STANDARDS shall be complied with at all times for the Duration of the Modified GCQ

1. All persons coming from outside Benguet Province and positive COVID-19 areas must observe the 14-day community or home quarantine;
2. When in public places; minimize contact, maintain physical distancing, (at least, 1 meter apart);
3. Face masks must be used in public places (Municipal Ordinance No. 4-2020). Avoid touching the face especially the mouth and nose
4. Wash hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water. If not available, use alcohol or hand sanitizer.
5. Pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 10 s. of 2020, all establishments must obey guidelines on sanitation, disinfecting, physical distancing, and have wash areas and/or disinfectants readily available for public use at the entrance and exit.
6. Strict enforcement of the SMOKING ORDINANCE (Municipal Ordinance No. 8-2014) and NO SPITTING MOMMA IN PUBLIC PLACES (Municipal Ordinance No. 33-2018).
7. Until further notice, liquor ban is in effect in the municipality (Municipal Ordinance No. 6-2020)
8. Thermal scanning must be done prior to all public gatherings. All establishments are tasked to provide Health Declaration Form or logbook. No handshakes, embracing, or “beso-beso.”

II. Movement of People

1. The movement of all persons in areas placed under MGCQ- Medium Risk shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, for work in the offices or industries permitted to operate;
2. Any person below 21 years old and those who are 60 years old and above (except those who are 18 to 20 years old and above who are working may travel), those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks shall be required to stay in their residences at all times, except when going out for essential goods and/or services;
3. Churchgoers are instructed to go home directly after the mass/services on Sunday. The following will be strictly observed:
   1. 50% from the usual church capacity
   2. Physical distancing (at least 1 meter or 3 feet)
   3. Facemasks must be worn at all times.
   4. Wash area at entrance/Alcohol/Hand Sanitizer
   5. Thermal Scanning before Entry
   6. Doormat treated with disinfectant.
   7. Fill out Logbook (Name, address, contact number, history of travel, Illness/es incurred, if any)
   8. Presence Of Health Safety Officer
   9. 21 years old and below and 60 years Old and above, those with comorbidity, immunodeficiency, pregnant women and Other health risks are not allowed
   10. NO wearing Of slippers.
   11. Disinfection Will immediately follow after every mass/service
4. To minimize movement of people, ambulant vending is prohibited

PENALTIES

The penalty provisions Of Sec. 37 (Traffic Obstructions) and Sec. 49 (Public Safety) Of the Municipal Code Of Ordinances shall apply: a fine Of 500 pesos, plus an additional 500 pesos, if removal of goods is done by the municipal government; and a fine of 500 pesos or imprisonment of five days, or both, upon the discretion of the court, respectively.

Sec 3A07 of the La Trinidad Revised Revenue Code of 2017 shall likewise apply. Any person whose business establishment or undertaking does not conform to zoning regulations, and safety and health and other requirements of the municipality will not be issued a Mayor’s Permit to engage in business.

III. On the designated Market Day, individual and group outdoor exercises including non- contact sports such as golf, tennis, table tennis, swimming, etc. shall be allowed subject to enforcement Of minimum public health standards

IV. Mass gatherings such as but not limited to: movie screenings, concerts, sporting events and Other entertainment activities, religious services and work conferences non-essential work gatherings and similar events shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50% of the venue or seating capacity

V. Public and private offices shall be allowed to open in full capacity.

VI. Public transport shall be allowed to operate subject to DOTr guidelines. 

VII. Private transport like company shuttles and personal vehicles used by APOR are allowed. Bikes and non-motorized transport are encouraged. 

VIII. Pillion Riding or “Angkas” is now allowed provided that the riders are wed or are live-in partners and that an IATF-approved barrier is installed

IX. Public and Private Construction shall be allowed upon consultation with the Municipal Engineering Office.

Sectors Allowed to Operate in La Trinidad Benguet under MGCQ

The following sectors are allowed to operate/work unless a different operational capacity is provided:

CATEGORY I and II Industries: At Maximum Operational Capacity

CATEGORY I

• Agriculture, forestry, fisheries
• Manufacturing of essential goods
• Food and beverages (only non-alcoholic drinks)
• Financial Institutions
• Hygiene (soap, detergent, disinfectant)
• Medicines and vitamins
• Medical products
• Fertilizers
• Hospitals and clinics (non-aesthetic— dermatological, dental, optometric, and eye, ear, nose, throat)
• Essential retail (groceries, markets, drug stores)
• Laundry Shops (including self-service)
• Food preparation and water-refiling
• Logistics service providers (e.g. Cargo handling, warehousing. trucking. shipping line)
• Delivery services
• Media
• Utilities
• Repair and Installation of Machinery/equipment
• Energy Companies
• DPWH-accredited construction workers
• Gas Stations
• Manufacturing/Supplies of construction products

CATEGORY II

• Electrical machinery
• Wood products, furniture
• Non-metallic products
• Textiles/wearing apparels
• Tobacco products
• Paper and paper products
• Rubber and plastic products
• Petroleum products
• Computer, electronic and optical products
• Electrical equipment
• Machineries
• Motor Vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
• Other Transport Equipment
• Wagwagan, provided that disinfection is made
• Cement and Steel
• Mining and Quarrying
• Electronic Commerce Companies
• Postal, courier and delivery service
• Repair of Computers and personal and household goods
• Housing Service Activities
• Office Administrative/Office Support, e.g. photocopying, billing
• Funeral and Embalming
• Veterinary Clinics
• Security and Investigation Activities
• N.B. Computer Shops (at 50% capacity)

CATEGORY III: At Maximum Operational Capacity 

• However, Dine-in at Restaurants, barber shops, salons and personal care service establishments at 50% capacity upon compliance of the Guidelines on Health protocol for Dine-in Restaurants.
• Barber Shops and Salons may operate at 75% capacity, subject to health protocols.
• Rental and leasing other than real estate (e.g. vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors); employment activities.

Partial Operation:

• • Advertising and market research
  • Computer programming
  • publishing and printing services including newspapers and books
  • Film, music and television production
  • Other activities like photography, fashion, industrial, graphic and interior design;
  • Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles; Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles;
  • malls and commercial centers (non-leisure only);

CATEGORY IV: At a maximum of 50% operational capacity

• Gyms/Fitness Studios and sports facilities
• Libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers

Accommodation Establishments (must have DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate plus additional guidelines) – Hotels, Resorts, apartment hotels, tourist inns, motels, pension houses, private homes used for homestay, ecolodges, serviced apartments, condotels and bed and bread and breakfast facilities.

Market Day

All commercial establishments. except for bars, may be allowed to open from MONDAY to SATURDAY from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Establishments are enjoined to disinfect their premises on Sunday. Selected establishments may open to cater to frontliners.

The following should be strictly observed:

1. Color Coding Of Market Day will apply;
2. No crowding, maintain physical distancing (at least, 1 meter apart);
3. Face mask must be used in public places (Municipal Ordinance NO. 4-2020). Avoid touching the face especially the mouth and nose;
4. Pursuant to Municipal Ordinance NO. 10 s. Of 2020, all establishments must Obey 4. guidelines on sanitation, disinfecting, physical distancing and have wash areas and/or disinfectants readily available for public use at the entrance and exit;
5. Thermal Scanning must be done prior to entry. All establishments are tasked to provide a log book which should include: Name, Address, Contact Number, Travel History and Illness/es, if any.
6. NO handshakes, embracing or “beso-beso;”

Curfew Hours

Curfew hours will be from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am.

Liquor Ban

Liquor Ban is in effect.

Gambling

All forms of illegal gambling are prohibited.

Travel Pass and Travel Authority

1.  Travel Pass and Travel Authority are no longer required when travelling Within Benguet Province. Only the Health Declaration Form (HDF) is required. HDFs are available at the Barangay and Municipal Hall. However, when going to Baguio City, Travel Pass Will be required for essential purposes:
   • Going to banks, offices, and agencies;
   • Traversing the City going to Tuba, Itogon, and Bokod;
2. Travel outside the Cordillera Administrative Region requires a Travel Authority for essential travel only (Bring photocopy of OR CR and Driver’s License) and Travel Authority for Locally Stranded Individuals (Secure from Police Station after getting a Medical Certificate from the Health Services Office). Bring Business Permit for transacting business Outside La Trinidad.

Coding

The Number Coding Scheme is in effect.

SOURCE: Mayor’s Office- La Trinidad