Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — Malacañang has extended the diversion of international flights headed to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Tuesday.
At his regular briefing, Roque said the extension shall be until 11:59 p.m. of June 12, according to a new memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on June 5.
Prior to the recent order, all international flights bound for the Cebu international airport were diverted to NAIA.
“Inaasahan po natin [We expect] that on the 13th of June, the IATF protocols on arriving (overseas Filipino workers) and OFWs will be implemented in Cebu,” Roque further explained.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia said she is studying their options following the extension of flight diversion.
“We will study our position, as duly elected and accountable officials of the Province of Cebu. We all must adhere to the rule of law,” she told reporters.
Garcia and President Rodrigo Duterte earlier met to discuss the province’s protocols for Filipinos from abroad, which involve testing them upon arrival at the airport.
Cebu’s protocols are considered more relaxed compared to the IATF’s rules, which call for tests to be conducted only on the seventh day of quarantine in a facility.
Under the province’s protocols, Cebu residents can go to their hometown after the release of a negative PCR test. They will undergo home quarantine and will be swabbed again on the seventh day in their residence.
Non-Cebu residents who test negative have to show proof of itinerary in going home to their province and will observe health protocols of their local government or the IATF.
Garcia is of the position that the IATF needs concurrence from the local government units if it imposes health policies in a locality, since over six months had already passed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Section 105 of the Local Government Code says “in cases of epidemics, pestilence, and other widespread public health dangers, the Secretary of Health may, upon the direction of the President and in consultation with the local government unit concerned, temporarily assume direct supervision and control over health operations in any local government unit for the duration of the emergency, but in no case exceeding a cumulative period of six (6) months.”
CNN Philippines Cebu-based correspondent Dale Israel contributed to this report.
