Mayor restricts air, sea travel to Iligan City starting March 19
By Bonita L. Ermac
ILIGAN CITY – Mayor Celso G. Regencia has issued an executive order, restricting the entry of all passenger and cargo sea vessels, as well as aircraft, to Iligan City, effective Thursday, March 19.
According to Regencia, the order was part of the city’s community quarantine that was imposed March 16 to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the city.
Under the travel ban, which takes effect 12 a.m. March 19, “no passenger or cargo vessel shall dock, anchor, stay or come in the Port of Iligan for the purpose of disembarking or loading passengers to or out of the city”.
Cargo vessels loading or unloading essential commodities such as food, medicines, medical supplies, essential building materials, needed spare parts etc., may dock in the suitable pier or stay in an anchorage of the Port of Iligan purposely to load and unload said materials,” the order added.
Exempted from the order were personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, duly authorized members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, medical personnel and first responders in case of emergency.
These include members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Red Cross and other duly accredited first responders on-duty or on a pertinent mission.
The flight of helicopters, drones, balloons or any type of aircraft will also be restricted.
The local chief executive said there was a need to further limit and regulate establishments and the entry of people to the City of Iligan to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Temporary closure of mall operations was also ordered starting March 19, except for grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware in these establishments.
Curfew hours shall be imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. effective March 18 Wednesday.