Starting today, June 7, there will be only three points of entry for residents and visitors to the island province of Guimaras as the provincial government tightens again its border control to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Under Executive Order No. 24 signed by Governor Samuel Gumarin on June 5, 2021, the only ports of entry for people to Guimaras are the Jordan Wharf, Buenavista Wharf and Ro-Ro Wharf in Hoskyn, Jordan.
Puyo Wharf in Nueva Valencia, Tacay Wharf in Buenavista and Sebaste Wharf in the Municipality of Sibunag shall be opened for trading and cargo purposes only.
EO No. 24, which is an order further restricting the movement of persons to arrest the spread of COVID 19 pandemic in the province, took effect from June 7 until further revoked or amended by Gumarin.
As stated in the directive, sea vessels plying the Guimaras-Iloilo route and vice versa shall be allowed to operate from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Also, only highly essential inbound/outbound travels will be allowed. These includes transport of basic commodities and necessities, medical reasons, exercise of profession and work-related transactions and other meritorious cases as may be determined by the provincial government.
Gumarin further directed Mayors to establish local border restrictions, such as establishment of border control points in coordination with the Philippine National Police, among others.
He said the provincial government must double its efforts to curb the rising cases of COVID-19 infections as the province’s healthcare system is already overwhelmed.
“The situation now needs drastic measures. We cannot just sit kag lantawon lang nga magsige saka ang kaso sang COVID-19 sa probinsiya sang Guimaras (and just look at the rising cases of COVID-19 in the province of Guimaras). Kinahanglan naton mag-double time para makontrol ang paglapta sang virus (We need to double our efforts to control the spread of the virus) as our healthcare system is already overwhelmed. Healthcare facilities in our neighboring provinces are also dealing with the surge of infections. Indi kita mahimo magsalig sa ila (We should not rely on them), that is why we have to address the situation head-on,” said Gumarin in a press report.
Data from Department of Health Region 6 showed that 90.32 percent of COVID-19 beds in the healthcare facilities of Guimaras have been occupied as of June 1, 2021 due to the surge of recorded cases.
Out of the 605 total cases recorded in the island, 101 are active cases, as of June 5, 2021.JSC/Guimaras PIO/laf/PIA6 Iloilo
