The province has intensified its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID19 with the release of three Executive Orders No. 12, 13, and 14 all series of 2021 in the end of May.
Each of these three Eos implements regulation and guidelines on regional borders, safety seal certification program for establishments, and events regulations guidelines in conducting events and other gatherings, respectively.
Such release comes after the province has experienced a surge of COVID19 cases recently “with index cases at events/mass gatherings and tourism activities”.
As of June 2, 2021, the province has 146 active cases with Baganga Municipality having the most contribution at 56 active cases followed by Mati City at 33 active cases, and Lupon Municipality at 20 active cases.
EO 12 series of 2021 is “an order adopting the joint regional Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases -Regional Task Force Against COVID-19 Resolution No. 1 series of 2021 and for other purposes.”
With EO 12, tourists are required a negative RT-PCR result taken within 72 hours, resort or hotel booking confirmation, and “staysafe.ph application” upon entry. For travelers passing through, they must present an ID with address of residency. They must follow the screening protocols at the entrance and cooperate with police on duty for the coordination until exit.
EO 13 is “an order adopting the Safety Seal Certification Program with the Local Government Units of Davao Oriental as issuing authorities and for other purposes”.
The safety seal is a physical manifestation of the compliance of an establishment to the minimum health standards required by government to contain the spread of COVID-19.
After an establishment receives inspection from the LGU, a seal may be issued in printed or digital form in A4 size which must be displayed conspicuously at all entrance points of the establishment or building.
EO 14 is “an order prescribing additional measures in the conduct of events and other gatherings in the province of the Davao Oriented and for other purposes”.
With this EO, establishments are required to obtain a 50% Capacity Seal from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) after receiving an inspection. As well, police and local tourism counterparts will inspect every event twice a day to ensure compliance to health standards.
Furthermore, when requesting for approval for the conduct of an event, a detailed floor plan is required as an attachment to the letter of request showing the “physical distancing, flow of traffic, among others and risk management plan.”
The approving authorities will be the Provincial Task Force for events holding more than 100 people and the City or Municipal Task Force for events holding less than 100 people. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)
