This Week in Northern Luzon (May 23 to 29, 2020)

Baguio City is now placed under general community quarantine. While Mayor Benjamin Magalong made it clear that the implementation will almost be the same as the ECQ, he mentioned that the only difference is that they will be gradually opening business establishments and sectors.

All residents must still stay at home and may only go out to buy essentials, attend medical emergencies, and report for work in businesses that are permitted to operate once more. Major entry points within the city shall be maintained, and all people entering the area must submit themselves to mandatory temperature screening and triage assessment. Those with a registered body temperature of 37.6 °C and above shall be taken to the nearest health facility center for further examination or isolation if necessary.

Establishments that are located within Baguio City Public Market shall be closed on Sundays for disinfection operations. All public transportation vehicles may only be filled up to 50% of its passenger load, and drivers must observe safety measures inside the vehicle including wearing of face masks and installing hand sanitizers or alcohol. A general 24-hour curfew will be imposed in the city, while a 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM curfew will be applied to all workers. [1]

Now that the City of Pines is under GCQ, public places specifically Burnham Park have started to open to the public once more. Residents have been using the area as a place for recreational activities such as Zumba, jogging, and other exercises. However, Mayor Magalong clarified that these activities must still be done while observing social distancing and wearing face masks. The time allowed for the said activities is from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM, Mondays to Saturdays. Participants must keep a distance of five meters from each other. Those aged 21 years old and below and 60 years old and above will not be allowed to join the health activities except on Sundays. [2]

Mayor Benjamin Magalong has announced that he is inclined to open outbound public transportation from the province to the other parts of Cordillera except Ifugao. These transportation vehicles must strictly comply with the guidelines issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board. Magalong added that most provinces in Cordillera, specifically Apayao, Mountain Province, and Kalinga, are now considered clear, and that the government willl cooperate with the concerned public officials and operators of the public transportation services. [3]

The Summer Capital of the country has now transitioned from ECQ to GCQ, and the guidelines have shifted as well. Along with the opening of several businesses, establishments, and sectors comes the strict reminder that people must still practice social distancing and other precautionary measures such as wearing face masks and washing hands. Market schedule for barangays and La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tublay, and Tiba areas will continue. Sunday will still be lockdown day, and senior citizens will be allowed to do grocery shopping on this day. [4]

SM City Baguio has shifted the schedules of its stores once more in line with the implementation of general community quarantine in the city. Here are the following schedules of the shopping mall’s retail anchors starting May 19, 2020:

1. SM Supermarket - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

2. Watsons, LG - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

3. Watsons, UG - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

4. Ace Hardware Store - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

5. Bills Payment Counter - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

6. BDO, Luneta Hill - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

7. BDO, UG - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

8. Our Home, The SM Store - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Most food establishments including Jollibee, Dairy Queen, and Macao Imperial Tea will be open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. CyberZone stores and services like Air 21, Baguio Pet Habitat, and Mr. Quickie will also be open with the same operating hours as well. Specialty shops including Art Bar, Booksale, National Bookstore, and Fully Booked will also observe the same operating hours. [5]

SSS Baguio has just resumed its operations last May 18, 2020. The program strictly implemented a number coding arrangement for all contribution and loan payments according to the last digit of an SSS ID number or ER ID number. ID numbers ending in 1 and 2 may visit SSS Baguio on Monday, 3 and 4 on Tuesday, 5 and 6 on Wednesday, 7 and 8 on Thursday, and 9 and 0 on Friday. All payments that fall due on June 1, 2020 will be given priority from May 18 until June 1. [6]

Residents of Baguio City are now allowed to jog, walk, and bike along the roads and within the city parks. However, people intending to do so must secure a Wellness Pass from the City Environment and Parks Management Office. They may claim their wellness passes from their punong barangays. Guidelines have been provided by the Public Information Office of the City of Baguio and can be seen in their official Facebook page. [7]

Visit Yoorekka for more updates on Baguio and Northern Luzon.