Cadiz suspends official travels outside the city

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. issued an order prohibiting all city government employees from conducting official travel outside the city.

In a memorandum order signed on Monday, Escalante explained he made the order due to the “alarming rate of local transmissions of Covid-19 in Negros Occidental, particularly in Bacolod City.”

Although the order only covers the city’s official employees, Escalante is also urging the local residents to do the same, pointing out that there is no alternative to following health protocols such as wearing of face mask, observing personal hygiene at all times including use of disinfectants as well as following rules on social distancing.

“It also pays to stay informed all the time so it is imperative that they know the latest announcements from their respective barangays and the local government,” he added.

In his memorandum, Escalante explained that when delivery of documents to offices or agencies outside Cadiz City is inevitable, department heads and employees are required to utilize the Philippine Postal Service or any reputable private courier to perform the task.

Documents, he added, may also be sent through email.

“All employees are strictly prohibited from holding or attending meetings in a government or private offices outside of Cadiz City, substituting the same with online meeting platforms in conducting or attending these meetings,” the city mayor said.

The order, however, does not apply to emergency services, patient or locally stranded individual transport and such other Covid-19 related initiatives of the city.

All personnel performing official functions will be provided by the city government, through the City Health Office and the local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, with personal protective equipment, Escalante added./