10 barangays in Navotas placed under ECQ

Ten barangays in Navotas City have been placed in enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) effective Saturday, May 23, to address the threat of COVID-19.

Below are the barangays under ECQ effective May 23 at 5:01 a.m., according to Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco:

1. Daanghari
2. NBBN
3. NBBS Dagat-dagatan
4. NBBS Kanluran
5. NBBS Proper
6. San Jose
7. San Roque
8. Sipac Almacen
9. Tangos North
10. Tangos South

The ECQ will be in effect until Sunday, May 31, at 11:59 p.m.

Under the guidelines set, only those with home quarantine pass may be allowed to go out of their homes to buy necessities such as food, groceries and medicines following their barangay market day schedules.

Essential workers or those working in industries allowed to operate under ECQ by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), such as those working in the Navotas Fish Port, will also be allowed to leave their homes to go to work. However, they need to bring a company ID or certificate of employment.

All those leaving their homes need to wear face masks, observe one- to two-meter physical distancing, and avoid grouping or crowding.

The city government also reminded residents that children and senior citizens are not allowed to go out of their houses except in cases of emergency.

Public markets, groceries and talipapa will be allowed to operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tiangco said on Friday the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city has reached 138.

"Kailangan nating habulin ang pitong araw na niluwagan natin ang galaw ng ating mamamayan," the mayor said.

Navotas City and the rest of Luzon have been under ECQ until May 15. However, Metro Manila and other high-risk areas were shifted to the less strict modified enhanced community quarantine from May 16 to 31.

Tiangco appealed to IATF for a reinstatement of ECQ in Navotas City amid the rise in COVID-19 cases but this appeal was denied.

However, Tiangco said he filed a motion for reconsideration, noting that all 18 barangays of Navotas requested that they be placed back under ECQ.

On Friday, Tiangco said on Facebook that the Regional IATF approved his motion.

"Sa RIATF NCR Resolution No. 3, pinayagan po tayo na isailalim sa ECQ ang sampung barangay namay matataas na kaso ng COVID-19," he wrote. —KG, GMA News