This Week in Northern Luzon (April 10 to 16, 2021)

Baguio City is in a rush to erect two additional health centers in strategic areas to improve its health care services to people in barangays and help amplify the local government’s COVID-19 response efforts. City Administrator Bonifacio dela Pena said that the proposed community health center located in Bakakeng Norte/Sur will be constructed within a property that was donated to the city and construction shall start before June this year. Another is a proposed health center in Aurora Hill which will be constructed within a portion of Bayan Park.

Dela Pena added that both health centers will be provided with sufficient parking space for their respective clients to prevent the wayward parking of vehicles that can cause traffic congestions within their areas. The City Council will be working to amend the ordinance that prohibits putting up structures within Bayan Park to accommodate the Aurora Health Center proposal.

Meanwhile, the Bakakeng Health Center will serve as a replacement for the Atab District Health Center, which will be demolished for future road-widening projects. [1]

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Executive Order no. 40-2021 which prohibits the following establishments to operate:

- Driving schools

- Traditional cinemas, galleries, and cultural centers

- Libraries

- Archives

- Game arcades

- Indoor tourist attractions

While the following are allowed limited operations at 50%:

- Dine-in establishments

- Gyms, salons, spas, and personal establishments

The city government of Baguio conducted inspections for 143 establishments to check if they are in compliance with the general community quarantine or GCQ health protocols and restrictions.

Establishments including 11 driving schools; 4 cinemas, museums, and cultural centers; one library; two arcades; 55 food, beverage, and restaurants with dine-in; 15 personal health care, spas, and gyms; 23 events and function halls; and 29 accommodation establishments were informed about the GCQ protocols and warned that violators will be penalized accordingly.

According to Permits and Licensing Division Chief Allan Abayao, the inspections will be a persistent activity. A curfew of 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM was also reimposed, age-based restrictions were readopted, and physical fitness centers were kept at 50% capacity. [2]

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 and public health updates in Northern Luzon.