Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 17) — A business group said confusing and sometimes contradicting information from authorities are not helping workers and employees during the period of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Speaking to CNN Philippines Tuesday, Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, said, “There are [instances] na iba-iba pa rin ang sinasabi ng nagsasalita. Hindi sila coordinated (There are instances when people are saying different things. They are not coordinated).”
Ortiz-Luis mentioned how the announcement of the suspension of mass transportation due to the enhanced quarantine was put into effect at midnight, affecting workers who needed to get home past midnight.
He added that authorities should give continuous updates regarding the enhanced quarantine as clearer details would better inform workers, employers and the public in general.
“Tuluy-tuloy sana yung releases nila ng clarification… At yung communication nila dun sa implementors tuluy-tuloy sana para hindi naman nagkakabangga-bangga yung mga ginagawa,” he said.
[Translation: I hope the release of clarifications are continuous and they also continue to communicate with the implementors so there are no contradictions.]
Ortiz-Luis’ comments came as reports of commuters’ difficulty obtaining rides after the IATF suspended the operation of public utility vehicles as of midnight Tuesday.
In a briefing Monday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said local government units can provide transportation for those who are exempted from quarantine and those who will be buying basic needs.
People who wish to leave Luzon by air have 72 hours to do so, after which all air travel to the island will be restricted. Filipino nationals, their spouses and children, permanent residents and holders of diplomatic visas will still be allowed entry.
The movement of cargo to and from Luzon will still be allowed.
All establishments in Luzon will be closed, except those that provide basic necessities like supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, food preparation and delivery services, banks and water-refilling stations.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said those who violate the quarantine may face arrest for resisting and disobeying a person in authority.
If they use force in resisting quarantine, they may be arrested for assault. They may also be arrested for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
The new restrictions came after several government officials called the initial community quarantine ineffective, with public buses and jeepneys outrightly disregarding the social distancing measures imposed on buses and jeepneys.
CNN Philippines’ Pia Garcia, Xave Gregorio and Rex Remitio contrinuted to this report.
