Tabuk toughens up versus violators
The checkpoint will be supervised by the City Health Office of Tabuk City and will be manned by personnel of the Philippine Army, police, rural health unit and Barangay Bantay
Tabuk City established a new checkpoint control to monitor the entry of residents, visitors and travelers coming from other Kalinga municipalities and provinces.
The border control is near the headquarters of the 77th Infantry Brigade in Barangay Bantay, where travelers sneak in to avoid Covid-19 quarantine requirements to get to Tabuk.
The road links Tabuk to neighboring provinces Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan and to other areas in Kalinga through the towns of Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Pasil and Balbalan.
Mayor Darwin Estrañero issued Executive Order (EO) 03-110 on Monday, reiterating that those who wish to enter Tabuk must be monitored and undergo health and safety protocols.
The EO requires travelers coming from areas outside Kalinga entering Tabuk through Barangay Bantay to present a negative swab test result or medical certificate issued by the local government unit of origin, travel authority and valid identification.
The same requirements are needed at the border checkpoint of Kalinga going to or from Tuguegarao, Cagayan. Travelers within Kalinga must have valid identification, travel passes and medical certificates.
Follow minimum health protocols because the virus is no joke.
Government and private company employees with official business in the city must have valid travel orders specifying their purpose and duration of stay.
Returning residents and visitors shall be subjected to mandatory triaging at the Covid-19 Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility in Barangay Agbannawag.
“The checkpoint will be supervised by the City Health Office of Tabuk City and will be manned by personnel of the Philippine Army, police, rural health unit and Barangay Bantay,” Estrañero said. “Follow minimum health protocols because the virus is no joke. Those who have co-morbidities must take extra care and it is the duty of those who are healthier to protect them.”
He also placed the villages of Bulanao Centro, Bulanao Norte, Agbannawag and Bado Dangwa on lockdown due to the spike of cases. The Philippine National Police and Philippine Army will apprehend violators.
At the same time, he reminded provincial government employees to keep their masks on and avoid talking to each other when eating to lessen the possibility of spreading the virus.
As of 17 January, Kalinga has 216 active cases, with nine new patients, from a total 827 infections. Two died.