Mayor James Pooten said the observance of the “sedey” or the cultural lockdown is extended in the entire municipality until February 11, 2021.
The cultural lockdown is to assist in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 as well as to facilitate cleansing within the Sagada community.
“In view of the rise in cases in Sagada and its nearby municipalities, the wide coverage of the ongoing contact tracing efforts, and of the province-wide response to implement strict border controls, the current Cultural Lockdown in the Municipality of Sagada earlier advised to end on February 04, 2021 is hereby extended until February 11, 2021,” Municipal Advisory No. 45 issued by Pooten stated. .
Following the surge of COVID-19 cases in Mountain Province in January reaching the critical epidemic risk level, the Sagada local government initially implemented “sedey” in the entire municipality from January 29 to February 4.
On the last week of January, the National Inter Agency Task Force against COVID-19 thru the Bases Conversion Development Authority and the Bureau of Fire Protection, in coordination with the Cordillera Regional Task Force against COVID-19 and the local government units in Mountain Province conducted Aggressive Community Testing at the different towns in the province including Sagada.
Pooten said results of the mass testing conducted are seen to bring another surge in COVID-19 cases.
As of February 2, Sagada already recorded 40 COVID-19 cases with 25 active cases and 15 recoveries. 34 cases were recorded just this year.
During cultural lockdowns, entry to the municipality will be prohibited unless for purpose of extreme emergency.
Movement of persons in the community will be limited to emergency and essential purposes such as purchasing of essential goods and accessing or reporting to offices and industries which are allowed to operate.
Establishments allowed to operate will be open from 6:00AM to 8:00PM only. Those allowed to operate include the municipal and barangay offices, financial institutions, hospitals and medical facilities, agricultural sector covering local farms and fisheries, utilities and utility services which include but is not limited to water, gas, and electric services and the public safety services.
Social and mass gatherings are temporarily prohibited including religious gatherings and cultural rites unless obligatory such as in case of death.
Vehicles only intending to pass through Sagada going to other municipalities will be allowed passage but are strongly advised to take the Sagada-Dantay road and pass through Pegeo Control Point for record purposes.
Regular workers from Sagada employed in other municipalities are advised to make suitable work arrangements for the duration of the Sedey.
All cargo will have to be met by the receiving party at the Pegeo Control Point except for the entry of essential goods namely LPG, rice, and animal feeds will be granted provided that a negative antigen test result is presented while aggregates with operations along the Chico River will be allowed entry for drop and go transactions but the drivers are consequently advised to go on self-isolation.
The issuance of Letter of Acceptance is temporarily suspended given the guidelines on the restriction of entry to the municipality of Sagada except for those passing through to other municipalities, the entry of essential goods, and transit for emergency purposes. (JDP/ RMC- PIA CAR)
By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis