Cebu relaxes border restrictions

CEBU, Philippines —  Workers who have been affected by the border restrictions between Cebu province and Cebu City can finally heave a sigh of relief, at least those who are qualified, as the Capitol will loosen its border limitations effective today, June 3.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia signed Executive Order No. 17-D Series 2020 last June 2 that amends Section 8 of EO 17 and lays down the exemptions to the province’s closure on Cebu City since last April 30.

As per the new EO, workers allowed to operate again will now be able to cross the borders so long as they present their company identification card and a certificate of employment from the company in checkpoints. The employment certificate must state that they are still affiliated with the company they wish to travel to.

They will also be allowed to travel back to their respective homes after work.

This arrangement is unlike the previous protocol where employees of essential businesses, the only business allowed to operate at the time, were encouraged to look for places to stay in Cebu City or if they were from Cebu City but worked in the province, in the city or municipality they worked in.

Likewise, companies were also previously encouraged to provide temporary lodging for their employees.

Owners of business establishments that have been allowed to operate will also now be allowed to travel to and fro their establishment. They, however, need to present proof of business ownership at checkpoints.

Persons transported through the borders through the effort of their local government units will be allowed passage. They will still be subject to the established safety protocols in their LGUs of destination.

Health and emergency personnel will only need to present their PCR License, their official IDs and other proof of their occupation to personnel manning checkpoints.

Government officials will also have to present their IDs.

For persons crossing the border for medical or humanitarian reasons, they will be required to present a certificate from their local government unit, along with a medical certificate.

For those who wish to cross the border to get to the airport for international travel, they need to show their confirmed airplane tickets.

For persons in the province who are not part of the exemptions but need travel to Cebu City, they must secure an authority to travel from the mayor of their home local government unit. This authority will only be valid for one day.

As for persons in Cebu City not covered by the exemptions who need to travel to the province, they must secure a travel authority from the provincial government of Cebu. This will also only be valid for one day.  JMD (FREEMAN)