It’s May 16, 2020, and the Philippine government has relaxed the enhanced community quarantine in most of the country shifting to either a modified community quarantine or general community quarantine. In the video below, we try to consolidate, summarize, and simplify the information gathered from IATF Resolution Numbers 34, 35, 35-A, 36, IATF Transition Infographics, statements of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and news report on Interior Secretary Eduardo Año’s statement.
AREAS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSIFICATIONS BEGINNING 16 MAY 2020
The entire Philippines is still under community quarantine but in varying degrees. The following are the different classifications. However, these classifications may be subject change, should it be determined as high-risk. In such case, it may would be placed under localized Enhanced Community Quarantine (“ECQ”) as identified and recommended by the LGUs concerned, subject to the approval IATF.
1. Low Risk –General Community Quarantine (“GCQ”), beginning 16 May 2020
- Region I – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Dagupan City
- Region IV-B – Marinduque, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City;
- Region V – Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Legazpi City, Naga City.
- Region VI – Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Bacolod City;
- Region VIII – Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc City, Tacloban City;
- Region X – Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City
- Region XII – North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City
- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (“BARMM”) – Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City (IATF Resolution No. 35)
NOTE: These areas were previously classified under IATF Resolution No. 35 as Low Risk, and not under Quarantine. On 13 May 2020, it was reported that Interior Secretary Eduardo Año mentioned that these areas are re-classified as under Modified General Community Quarantine. However, on the same date of 13 May 2020, IATF Resolution No. 35-A was later issued, declaring that these low-risk areas shall now be placed under General Community Quarantine, beginning 16 May 2020.
2. Moderate-Risk – GCQ until 31 May 2020, without prejudice to the declaration of localized Enhanced Community Quarantine in critical areas
- Cordillera Administrative Region (“CAR”) – Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City;
- Region II – Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Santiago City;
- Region III – Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Angeles City, Olongapo City
- Region IV-A – Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas, Lucena City
- Region VII – Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City
- Region IX – Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Isabela City
- Region XI – Davao City, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental
- Region XIII (CARAGA) – Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City (IATF Resolution No. 35)
3. High-Risk – Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (“MECQ”) until 31 May 2020, without prejudice to the declaration of localized Enhanced Community Quarantine in critical areas
- Laguna,
- All Highly Urbanized Cities (“HUCs”) of the National Capital Region (“NCR”)
- Municipality of Pateros.
- Cebu City (IATF Resolution No. 35)
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
| ACTIVITY | ECQ | MECQ | GCQ |
| Going out of homes | Not allowed – 100% stay at home. Movement shall be limited to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in permitted offices or establishments. | Not allowed – 100% stay at home, unless for allowable travel, i.e., acquisition of essential goods, limited outdoor exercising, those allowed to report to work under industries allowed to operate | Those vulnerable to the virus and transmitters should stay at home. The following shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services, and for work in permitted offices or establishments.: Persons with ages below 21 years old; Persons with ages 60 years old and above;Persons with immunodeficiency, co-morbidities, or other health risks;Pregnant women; and Any person who resides with the aforementioned. |
| Going to supermarkets, public and private wet markets, grocery stores, agri-fishery supply stores, veterinary supply stores, pharmacies, drug stores and other retail establishments engaged in the business of selling essential goods | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Outdoor Exercising | Not allowed | Limited outdoor exercise allowed, such as outdoor walk, jog, run, cycling, subject to observance of safety protocols, such as wearing of masks and 2 meter distancing. | Limited sports, such as golf and tennis, allowed. |
| Gatherings | Not allowed | Highly restricted to a maximum of 5. | Restricted, to a maximum of 10. |
| Travel | Not allowed – no public transportation, no domestic flights, limited international travel | No public transportation, no domestic flights, limited international travel Controlled inbound travel (OFWs/returning Filipinos) Biking and non-motorized transport, encouraged No inter-island travel | Public transportation allowed, with strict safe distancing Inter-island travel from GCQ to GCQ areas are allowed, with safety protocols |
| Work From Home, any industry | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Funeral Rites | Allowed, but qualified. Only immediate family members of deceased from causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed to move from their residences to attend the wake or interment of the deceased, subject to showing proof of relationship to the deceased and social distancing measures. | Allowed, but qualified. Only immediate family members of deceased from causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed to move from their residences to attend the wake or interment of the deceased, subject to showing proof of relationship to the deceased and social distancing measures. | Allowed, but qualified. Only immediate family members of deceased from causes other than COVID-19 shall be allowed to move from their residences to attend the wake or interment of the deceased, subject to showing proof of relationship to the deceased and social distancing measures. |
INTERZONAL MOVEMENT – MOVEMENT FROM MECQ TO GCQ AREAS, VICE VERSA
In a press briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, it was mentioned that workers shall be allowed interzonal movement for work-related reasons. However, non-essential travel remains prohibited.
- Workers who need to travel to a different community quarantine area must present to authorities in checkpoints their employee ID, other identification showing place of residence;
- It is additionally recommended that your employees be armed with their Certificates of Employment, in addition to Company IDs, at all times. The Certificate of Employment ideally states the address of the workplace and of the employee’s residence.
OPERATIONS OF INDUSTRIES/SECTORS
The following industries that may be allowed to operate shall always be subject to observance of safety protocols:
| Industries or Sectors | ECQ | MECQ | GCQ |
| Agriculture. Forestry. and Fisheries; Manufacturing of essential goods Food and beverages (only non-alcoholic drinks)Hygiene (e.g., soap, detergent, disinfectant)Medicines and vitaminsMedical products (e.g., masks)Pet food, feeds, and fertilizers Hospitals and clinics (non-aesthetic — e.g., dermatological, dental, optometric, and eye, ear, nose, throat); Essential retail (e.g., groceries. markets, drug stores); Laundry shops (incl. self-service); Food preparation and water-refilling: take-out and delivery only; Logistics service providers (e.g., cargo handling, warehousing, trucking, shipping line); Delivery services; Utilities: power, energy, water, telecom, aircon, water collection/supply, waste management, sewerage (except septic tank emptying, but including pest control, garbage collection, etc.); Repair and installation of machinery and equipment; Telecommunications companies (e.g., ISPs, cable providers, telco 3rd party contractors); Energy companies (incl. 3rd party contractors) across transmission, distribution, maintenance, retail, exploration, operations, trading and delivery of raw materials (incl. refineries and depots); Gasoline stations; Construction workers accredited by the DPWH to work on facilities for healthcare and for risk reduction; Manufacturing companies and suppliers of products necessary for construction; Media establishments | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Other manufacturing • Beverages (e.g. alcoholic drinks) • Electrical Machinery • Wood products, Furniture • Non-metallic products • Textiles / Wearing apparels1 • Tobacco products • Paper and Paper products • Rubber and Plastic products • Coke and Refined Petroleum products • Other non-metallic mineral products • Computer, Electronic and Optical Products • Electrical Equipment • Machinery and Equipment • Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailers • Other Transport equipment | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Cement and steel | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Electronic commerce companies (for essential goods) | Allowed operation at 100% capacity, for essential goods | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Electronic commerce companies (in general) | Not allowed, except for essential goods | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Mining and quarrying; Postal, courier and delivery services; Export-oriented companies: work-from–home, on-site or near-site accommodation, or point-to-point shuttles; Real estate (leasing); Repair of computers and personal and household goods; Housing service activities; Special purpose accommodation for healthcare workers, OFWs, workers in permitted sectors, and non-OFWs with mandated quarantine; Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): work-from-home, on-site or near site accommodation or point-to-point shuttles; Banks, money transfer services, microfinance institutions, pawnshops, and credit cooperatives; and Capital markets (e.g., BSP, SEC, PDEC, PDTC, etc.). | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Real estate activities – leasing only. | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Real estate activities – other activities such as buying, selling, subdividing, and appraising. | Not Allowed | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Public and private construction projects that are: essential (i.e., sewerage, water services facilities, digital works, health facilities) priority (i.e., food production, agriculture, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing, and BPO) – * according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, only “major projects” are allowed to operate under MECQ. However, no definition of “major projects” was provided. Note that under IATF Resolution No. 34, the following are allowed under ECQ, and, thus, may be argued to be allowed under MECQ: Essential projects, whether public or private allowed to operate in accordance with DPWH guidelines, such as, but not limited to: quarantine isolation facilities for Persons under Monitoring (“PUMs”), and subject and confirmed COVID-19 patientsfacilities for construction personnel who perform emergency works, flood control, and other disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation works, water service facilities projects and digital worksPriority public infrastructure projects, as well as priority private construction projects defined as those that refer to food production, agriculture, fishery, fishport development, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing and Business Process Outsourcing (“BPOs”) (IATF Resolution No. 34) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Office administrative and office support (e.g., photocopying, billing) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Accommodation for guests – Only for existing long-term bookings or bookings as of May 1 in Luzon. | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity |
| Funeral and embalming services – Funeral parlors are excluded in ECQ and MECQ. | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Veterinary clinics | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Security and investigation activities | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Other financial services (e.g., Money exchange, insurance, reinsurance, and non-compulsory pension funding) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Legal and accounting | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Management consultancy activities | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Architecture and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Scientific and research development | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Advertising and market research | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Computer programming (e.g., writing code, designing computer systems) and information service activities (e.g., data processing) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Publishing and printing activities (e.g., newspapers, books, etc.; printing on textiles, glass, etc.) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Film, music and TV production | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Other activities (e.g., photography, fashion, industrial, graphic, and interior design) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Rental and leasing, other than real estate (e.g., vehicles, equipment for permitted sectors); and Employment activities (e.g., recruitment and placement for permitted sectors) | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Wholesale and retail trade of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles, including their parts and components | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles (including vulcanizing shops, battery repair shops, auto repair shops) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Malls and commercial centers (non-leisure only) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Dining/Restaurants – No dine-in. Take-out and delivery only. | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity |
| Hardware stores | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Clothing and accessories | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Mall-based government frontline services | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Hardware stores | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Bookstores and school and office supplies stores | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Baby care supplies stores | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Pet food and pet care supplies | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| IT, communications, and electronic equipment | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Flower, jewelry, novelty, antique, perfume shops | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Toy store (with playgrounds and amusement area closed) | Not allowed to operate | Partial operation allowed at maximum of 50% on-site workers capacity | Allowed operation at 100% capacity |
| Barbershops and salons | Not allowed to operate | Not allowed to operate | Not allowed to operate |
| Gyms/fitness studios and sports facilities; Entertainment industries (e.g., cinemas, theaters, karaoke bars, etc.); Kid amusement industries (e.g., playrooms, rides); Libraries, archives, museums and cultural centers; Tourist destinations (e.g., water parks, beaches, resorts); Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service and related activities; and Personal care services (e.g., massage parlors, sauna, facial care, waxing, etc.) | Not allowed to operate | Not allowed to operate | Not allowed to operate |
| Public Transportation Rail (PNR, LRT, MRT) Bus Jeepney Taxi Transportation Network Vehicle Service | Not Allowed | Not allowed | Allowed with limited load factor |
| Public Transportation Tricycle | Not Allowed | Not Allowed, unless allowed exceptions, subject to DILG/LGU guidelines | Allowed with limited load factor |
| Public Transportation Public Shuttle | Allowed only for frontliners | Allowed, with safety protocols | Allowed, with safety protocols |
| Private Transportation Company Shuttle Personal Vehicle | Allowed with special permit from LTFRB for rented shuttles | Allowed, with safety protocols | Allowed, with safety protocols |
| Private Transportation Personal Vehicle | Allowed for persons/workers working in permitted sectors or for permitted activities, with 2 persons per row restriction | Allowed for persons/workers working in permitted sectors or for permitted activities, with 2 persons per row restriction | Allowed, with safety protocols |
| Private Transportation Bicycle Motorcycle E-Scooter | Not allowed | Allowed, for 1 person maximum | Allowed, with safety protocols |
| School Premises | Closed | Closed | Skeletal workforce to process requirements for students, and to prepare for graduation and the next semester |
| Government | Skeletal Onsite, with others working from home | Skeletal Onsite, with others working from home | Alternative work arrangements (e.g., 40 hours, 4-day work week) |
SPECIAL CASES:
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING
BPOs with work-from-home, on-site or near site accommodation, or point-to-point shuttling arrangements are allowed to operate at 100% capacity regardless of the zonal classification of the area within which it is based. Under DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-14, near-site accommodations shall refer to housing arrangement provided by the company for its workers within the 5-km radius of the factory or facility, or located in the same or in an adjacent municipality or city as the factory or facility.
SCHOOLS/EDUCATION
1. Basic Education
- Opening of classes for basic education shall be on 24 August 2020, ending on 30 April 2020;
- Opening of private schools will be allowed provided that the school learning continuity plan shall be submitted to the Department of Education, and no face-to-face class will be allowed earlier than 24 August 2020 and from 24 August 2020, face-to-face learning shall only be allowed when the local risk severity grading permits, subject to compliance with minimum health standards (IATF Resolution No. 34);
- Various learning delivery options shall be adopted, which shall not be limited to face-to-face, blended learnings, distance learnings, and homeschooling, and other modes of delivery, depending on the local COVID Risk Severity Classification and compliance with minimum health standards (IATF Resolution No. 34);
- Conduct of curricular and co-curricular activities involving gatherings such as science fairs, showcase of portfolios, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, job fairs and other similar activities are cancelled, except those conducted online (IATF Resolution No. 34)
2. Higher Education Institutions
- HEIs using full online education may open classes anytime
- HEIs using flexible learning may open anytime in August 2020-05-14
- HEIs using significant residential mode, meaning face-to-face or in-person, may open not earlier than 1 September 2020 and only in areas under GCQ
- There will be no residential mode of classes, meaning face-to-face or in-person, until 31 August 2020-05-14
- There must be compliance with minimum health standards
- HEIs are encouraged to change their academic calendar and open in August 2020
- The Commission on Higher Education will continue to review conditions and discussions with HEIs (IATF Resolution No. 36)
DEPLOYMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
- OFWs, whether land-based or sea-based shall be allowed to be deployed abroad upon the execution of a Declaration, signifying their knowledge and risks involved as advised by the Philippine Government
- Recruitment and placement agencies shall be allowed to operate in areas under GCQ and MECQ, subject to observance of minimum health standards
- Government agencies involved in the processing of their deployment are directed to establish “Green Lanes”, to enable prompt processing and deployment
- OFWs and employees of recruitment and placement agencies shall be allowed unhampered transit to and from appropriate government offices for the processing of their requirements and facilities such as airports, ferries, bus terminals, etc., notwithstanding any LGU pronouncement to the contrary
- The foregoing free access shall extend to the vehicles carrying said individuals in order for them to reach their final destination
- No fee or any requirement shall be imposed by LGUs in this regard (IATF Resolution No. 36)
CONSTRUCTION
Under the Omnibus Guidelines, as amended by IATF Resolution No. 34, essential projects, whether public or private, and priority projects, whether public infrastructure or private construction, are now allowed to operate.
- Essential projects include but is not limited to quarantine isolation facilities for PUMs, and subject and confirmed COVID-19 patients, facilities for construction personnel who perform emergency works, flood control, and other disaster risk reduction and rehabilitation works, water service facilities projects and digital works;
- Priority projects refer to food production, agriculture, fishery, fishport development, energy, housing, communication, water utilities, manufacturing and BPOs.
IATF Resolution No. 34 further provides that there should be compliance with DPWH Department Order No. 35, which provides, among others, these requirements for allowable constructions works:
- Prior to Deployment
- Only those 21-59 years old, without pre-existing health conditions shall be allowed to work
- Workers should be tested before starting (cost of the contractors)
- Workers housed in barracks for project duration, with segregated facilities – initial transport via private shuttle (not public transport)
- Quarantine passes for onsite employees
- Disinfection facilities in project sites at strategic locations
- Contractors shall continuously provide their workers and personnel with vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, other over-the-counter medicines, quarantine facilities, and oxygen tanks for emergency purposes
- During Deployment
- Safe distancing, including in the barracks
- Staggered break times
- Conduct an inventory of works for the construction sequencing to be followed and undertaken to uphold required social distancing
- Daily disinfection
- Errands outside the constructions site should be minimized
- Adequate food, safe/potable drinking water, disinfectants and hand soaps shall be made available to in-house personnel
- Daily monitoring of pre and post health conditions, including but not limited to temperature, health and exposure monitoring
- Personnel with manifestations or symptoms relative to COVID-19 shall be immediately isolated and quarantined for 14 days, and if necessary, be brought to the nearest DOH COVID-19 treatment facility under strict confidentiality and privacy
- Mandated quarantine for all personnel returning from outside
- Deliveries and disposal to be handled by separate team
- PPEs for all employees
- Safety officer to ensure compliance and to strictly monitory daily work activities
- Sharing of construction equipment is discouraged; but if necessary, shared equipment must be disinfected in between transfers amongst personnel
- All material and delivery and disposal shall be conducted by a specific team of personnel on an isolated loading/unloading zone, while limiting contact with delivery/disposal personnel
- Non-essential personnel, visitors and general public shall be restricted to enter the construction site, employees’ quarters and filed offices
- Clustered and staggered deployment of employees with the construction site
WORK FROM HOME ARRANGEMENT
Nothing herein prevents any industry to continue operating by adopting a Work-From-Home arrangement and/or other alternative FWAs which are consistent with the imposition of the ECQ. The primary rationale behind the imposition of the ECQ was to restrict movement and physical contact, none of which will be violated by operations with a work-from-home set-up.
You may download the PDF of the relevant resources from the following google drive links:
7. Acubelaw Legal Memorandum dated 15 May 2020; and
8. Additional deck and infographics
