ILOILO CITY LOCKDOWN: 25 Things You Should Know

(Updated March 21, 2020) ILOILO CITY is under enhanced community quarantine or a lockdown starting March 20 until April 14, 2020, announced by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on Thursday, March 19, 2020 issuing an Executive Order No. 055 implementing Regulation Ordinance No. 2020-056, Series of 2020 in relation to the practice of Enhanced Community Quarantine applicable to all commercial and business establishments, government offices and in residential areas, and for other purposes.

“We have to call this enhanced community quarantine (lockdown). We have to put in minds of everyone nga indi na sila pwede ka gwa sang basta-basta (that they are not allowed to go out anymore),” Treñas emphasized.

“We are doing this to limit mobility. We are trying to limit mobility because we are trying to lessen the number of persons going around the city, whole of Panay and Guimaras,” he added.

“We are at war with something that we cannot see. These are extraordinary times, we have to meet this war with extraordinary measures.” the mayor explained.

With this, here are major things all Ilonggos should know about this Iloilo City lockdown.

1. ‘Essential businesses’ will still be open.

• Grocery stores
• Pharmacies
• 24/7 Convenience store
• Banks, and other related financial establishments
• Hardware stores
• Health Clinic, Diagnostic Centers and Laboratories
• Restaurants with dine-in, take-out or delivery services

2. No Public Utility Jeepneys starting March 21, 2020 while Tricycle and Taxi Ban starts 8PM on March 22, 2020.

Transportation was initially retained only to follow social distancing policy. However on Friday, the mayor also suspended transportation operations after observing most of the riding public and drivers would not follow social distancing, or keep at least one meter apart, to prevent potential contact with the virus.

3. Social Distancing Ordinance is implemented with curfew from 8PM to 5AM.

4. Prohibition from staying and standing by individuals along highways, public alleys, commercial establishments, malls/shopping centers or any places outside their private homes.

5. The following individuals are excluded from number four (#4).

• People coming from work (essential businesses, #1)
• People working within curfew hours (essential businesses, #1)
• Health or medical workers, or working for humanitarian reasons
• Authorized government officials
• People who provide basic services (essential businesses, #1)
• People who deliver food and medicines (essential businesses, #1)
• Public Transportation Services dependent on the assessment of Public Safety and Transporation Management Office (PSTMO)

6. Implementation of the curfew

Personnel from the institution and public offices will participate.

• Philippine National Police
• Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Punong Barangay, Barangay Council, and Barangay Tanods
• Task Force on Moral Values
• City Health Office
• Public Safety and Traffic Management Office

7. P98-million funds for preventive measures against COVID-19 was approved. 

The funds will be used for laboratory materials/testing kits, rental of medical equipment for the quarantine center, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), disaster response supply and equipment, as well as livelihood support. – City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) / Iloilo City Government Facebook Page

8. The EO prescribed general mandatory conditions and precautionary best practices to be followed by establishments mentioned in #1 which includes:

• Posting of Covid-19 hotline
• Observance of social distancing
• Constant disinfecting
• Provision of hand sanitizers and/or alcohol
• Use of non-contact thermal scanners
• Employees to accomplish daily health interview cards
• Have sanitation protocol in place

9. Prohibition on liquor which includes the following:

• the selling, dispensing, and transporting of liquor or alcoholic beverages
• whisky, brandy, gin, rum, cordial, liquor, cocktail, wine, champagne, vermouth, basi, tuba, saki, beer, ale, and stout

10. Resistance to the implementation of the Iloilo City Lockdown or disobedience to its guidelines can constitute a “resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person” under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which punishes a person who “shall resist or seriously disobey any person in authority, or the agents of such person, while engaged in the performance of official duties.”

The penalty of imprisonment from one (1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months and a fine not exceeding 500 pesos shall be imposed upon any person who not being included in the provisions of the preceding articles shall resist or seriously disobey any person in authority, or the agents of such person, while engaged in the performance of official duties.

11. Five (5) entry/exit points and checkpoints of the city.

1. Ungka
2. Balabago
3. Buhang in Jaro;
4. Hibao-an in Mandurriao
5. Mohon in Arevalo

Via Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office

12. Buses are operating within the city as an alternative transportation.

Route of Buses (5:00AM) *Check the photos for routes.

Additional bus/es:

• LAPUZ – Bo. Obrero – Lapuz – Jalandoni – Rizal Street – Iznart – J.M. Basa – Parola City Mall and Vice Versa.

13. ALL Health Workers are FREE of charges on the bus transportation. They just have to present their IDs. As for other riding public, P10 for the fare will be implemented. 

Via LTFRB-6

14. Esplanade and plazas are closed to joggers and zumba dancers, but remain open for people to water and cultivate the plants, and for mobility.

15. Metro Iloilo Water announced that penalties for late payments for the billing period of March 2020 shall be waived.

It is encouraged however that consumers to pay their bills on time or ahead of the due date to avoid possible congestion in collection and to practice social distancing.

16. Temporary closure of Festive Walk Iloilo starting March 20, 2020 until further notice while some establishments will continue to operate for the basic needs of the community.

*Supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and medical services, convenience stores, select restaurants with take-out and delivery services, and other essentials will remain open to cater to the needs of the community.

17. Shops at Atria will be temporarily closed for operation effective March 20, 2020, until further notice.

18. Temporary closure of SM City Iloilo starting March 21, 2020 until further notice while some establishments will continue to operate for the basic needs of the community.

✅ North Point

• Starbucks – 8 AM to 6 PM
• BDO – 10 AM to 12 NN (Closed on Sundays)

✅ Main Mall

• SM Supermarket – 9 AM to 7 PM
• Watsons – 9 AM to 7PM (inside SM Supermarket); 11 AM to 7 PM (Upper Ground)
• Bills Payments – 9 AM to 7 PM (inside SM Supermarket)
• Life Extension – 11 AM to 7 PM
• Perimeter Parking – 9 AM to 7 PM
• BDO – 10 AM to 12 NN (Closed on Sundays)
• Rose Pharmacy – 11 AM to 7 PM
• GNC – 11 AM to 7 PM
• LBC – 10 AM to 7 PM (Traveller’s Lounge)
• Iloilo Doctors Clinic – 10 AM to 4 PM

✅ SM Strata

• Akamon – 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM
• SM Supermarket – 9 AM to 7 PM

19. One (1) Quarantine Card or Pass per household through a designated member.

“A quarantine card or pass designates a household member as the representative of his or her household in procuring necessities. This disallows other family members to buy goods and conduct transactions outside their homes.” via philstar.com

NOTE: Quarantine Card or Pass is not applicable during curfew hours. (Schedule in #3)

20. Quarantine Cards or Passes are for FREE.

Report to DILG / Mayor’s Office any local executive or barangay officials who will charge fees on quarantine cards or passes. DILG Emergency Operations Center hotlines 02-8876-3454 local 8806/8810.

21. If you are sick or not feeling well after your travel, call or report to Iloilo City Health Office through (033) 333-1111 loc 212 or to Western Visayas Medical Center Iloilo (033) 321-2841 to 45.

22. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas highly recommend a footbath to be installed in all entrances of essential establishments.

23. Guidelines for Travellers

24. Guidelines for Barangays

25. Guidelines for Barangay Health Emergency Response Team

Amidst all these, let us all calm down and stay home. Prepare all essential needs for the next 26 days during the Iloilo City lockdown. Keep safe everyone and share this your family and friends!

*This is a developing article and will be updated for more information.