Going Carbon? Check your family name first

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has devised a scheme to properly enforce the social distancing measure at the Carbon Public Market complex.

Mayor Edgardo Labella issued an executive order imposing a schedule for the entry of shoppers in the area within the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in the city.

The market complex covers all the roads leading to the market buildings such as Magallanes Street, Escaño Street, Calderon Street, Manalili Street, and Plaridel Street, among others.

Every Monday, the market will be closed to undergo cleansing and disinfecting activities to be done by the Market Operations Division (MOD), as well as the individual vendors, sellers, or concessionaires in their respective stalls or areas.

The schedule of admission of shoppers in the market will be based on the first letter of their family name.

On Tuesday shoppers with family names starting with letters A, B, C, D are allowed to buy; Wednesday for family names starting with letters E, F, G, H; Thursday for family names starting with letters I, J, K, L; and Friday for family names starting with letters M, N, O, P.

During weekends, shoppers with family names starting with letters Q, R, S, T, U are allowed to buy on Saturday while shoppers with family names starting with letters V, W, X, Y, Z are allowed to buy on Sunday.

The Carbon Public Market Complex will be open to shoppers from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. only. During this period, no vehicles are allowed to enter the complex.

The designated delivery schedule of cargoes and supplies will be from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Authorized wholesalers, purchasers, and kumpradors shall be allowed entry within these schedules.

Each shopper who wishes to enter the Carbon Public Market Complex will be required to present an identification card which should show their photo and complete name. This requirement is on top of existing requirements such as an ECQ pass and the wearing of face masks, among others.

If they fail to comply with the necessary requirements, they will be denied entry and/or will not be allowed to purchase.

Those who are exempted from the scheduling scheme are the frontliners, medical personnel, and security personnel provided that they are able to present proof and proper identification; wholesalers, purchasers, or kumpradors from community markets and other local government units, subject to proper endorsement or certification from the concerned LGU; hotels, hospitals, orphanages, government facilities; and such other establishments or individuals who may be exempted by the city mayor.

The Philippine National Police and MOD are directed to implement the full extent of the order and in consequence thereto, apprehend and file appropriate legal action against violators.  KQD (FREEMAN)