Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has welcomed the proposed “One Panay” movement which aims to harmonize the quarantine policies of the Panay and Guimaras cluster against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In Wednesday’s (May 27) “Laging Handa” network briefing, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar asked Defensor on his stand on the proposed “One Panay” movement being pushed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

This, after Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales said Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao and Capiz Governor Esteban Contreras both support its creation.

Gonzales said under “One Panay”, there will be a single executive order for all the provinces and cities in Panay and Guimaras, specifically on the issues for locally stranded individuals, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and border controls.

“One Panay”, according to Defensor, would benefit the locals, especially those who will travel from one province or city to another.

“We are very open to the suggestion of the national government and we are always ready to accept guidance from the national government,” he said.

“We can have common quarantine procedures especially on our border controls,” he added.

Citing practical situations, Defensor said people from Iloilo enter Panay through Aklan or Capiz, and vice versa.

With harmonized policies in border controls, the locals will not find it hard to return to their home province.

Defensor said he talked with Treñas who is arranging a meeting with governors and mayors of Panay for the “One Panay” movement.

To date, the provinces and cities in the Panay and Guimaras cluster are under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Defensor said the province’s shift from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to GCQ was agreed upon by the mayors and the locals thus, it was easy for the government to get the public’s cooperation.

“In the imposition of quarantine procedures, what’s important is the cooperation of the people, that is why it is easier for us when we transitioned from ECQ to GCQ,” he said.

By the end of May, he said the province will decide whether it will maintain or modify the GCQ.

The decision will be based on the transmission and distribution of COVID-19 cases, he said.Gail Momblan/PNA