The spread of the coronavirus in the City of Puerto Princesa still continues to increase. In the latest report, there are a total of 372 reported cases, with 235 recoveries and eight deaths, based on the City Incident Management Team’s (IMT) bulletin as of Saturday, April 17 in the afternoon. Fifty turned out to be positive from SARS-nCov-2 out of 53 samples that were tested. There were causative agents that were found based on the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Barangay in Puerto Princesa such as San Miguel, San Pedro, San Manuel, San Jose, and Sta. Monica. All these barangays which have high populations around Poblacion were put on hard lockdown that started on Friday, April 16 until April 30. These critical zones are placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

After the City government’s recommendation to place five barangays around the city under localized lockdown, the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) approved their decision.

On the letter from the Regional Director IATF Chairperson Wilhelm Suyco addressed to Mayor Lucilo Bayron on April 15, 2021 states “Please be informed that the RITF concurred with the decision to impose lockdown in the following Barangays in Puerto Princesa City beginning 16 April to 30 April 2021 due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city.”

The breakdown cases from these barangays that were reported in the City Information Office were San Manuel - 8, San Pedro - 5, Sta. Monica - 5, San Jose - 4, Bagong Silang - 3, San Miguel - 3, Tagabinet - 1, Tiniguiban - 1. In order to control the surge of the spreading of the virus, the government has established Police Officers for checkpoints to the boundaries in each barangays.

There will be strict protocols to be implemented with the help of uniformed personnel to prevent the spread of the virus.

The City Administrator Arnel Pedrosa explained the City’s recommendation to the RIATF that “It is actually the same as enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Ire-restrict muna ang movements ng mga tao and sa mga tagalabas na barangay, hindi muna puwedeng pumasok sa containment zone unless absolutely necessary,”.

“Sa mga malls bukas pa naman dapat ang groceries at ang mga pharmacies. ‘Yon lang, sa mga restaurants, bawal na muna talaga ang dine-in. Basta huwag silang mag-stay sa loob nang matagal, ok lang. Halimbawa, kapag kailangang pumunta sa bangko, o sa ibang offices, puwede naman. At ‘yong mga nagta-trabaho sa critical zone naman pero nakatira sa labas, puwede rin naman ‘yon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the residents are told to show Quarantine Pass (Q-Pass) when they go out from their houses to buy essentials or work. The ages under 17 years old, señiors (aged above 65 years old), those who have an illness, and pregnant are not allowed to go outside unless they are seeking medical attention.

There will be financial assistance that will be given by the government of Puerto Princesa to help every household during the ECQ.