By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY - Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this city will undergo a “very, very gradual transition” from an extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 15. Mayor Benjamin Magalong
(JJ Landingin / MANILA BULLETIN) “Baka within two weeks after May 15, baka parang nasa ECQ pa rin tayo,” Magalong explained. He said the city has prepared calibrated and graduated sequential actions on how to ease up on certain sectors with the assurance that they are compliant with the national IATF guidelines on GCQ. These include re-opening construction of critical projects, which will be subject to strict evaluation, followed by the opening of the transport sector, normalizing of government operations and key economic sectors like manufacturing, business process outsourcing (BPO), opening of key hotels with restaurants, small establishments to include restaurants and retail, and then scaled-down entertainment, worship gatherings, family-oriented activities, in that order. He emphasized that they will not open at the same time. Opening of these sectors shall be demand driven, and will follow certain schedules. “We will always be aligned with the general provisions of the general guidelines of the GCQ,” Magalong stressed. “What I’m saying is we have a plan on how to transition, but yung by scheduling, unti-unti. Pati borders, di ko basta-basta open for all,” adding that there will be systems put in place like on-line registration, Magalong explained. “Definitely, big hotels will not open yet,” he said. As to the operation of Sto. Nino Hospital (SNH), Magaling said, it was physically ready, and was just awaiting for the finalization of staffing, which will be funded by the Department of Health (DOH). Administrative support at SNH, to include provision of security and utility manpower, will be shouldered by the city government. He said that after May 11, they expect that all other hospitals in the city will no longer accept COVID 19 positive patients, except for Sto. Nino and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). “Ayaw natin mix use yung hospital natin,” he added. He has also laid down proposed modifications in the general guidelines under GCQ which will be shared with the public in due time.