BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong on Friday, May 1, 2020 said that Baguio City will go through a gradual transition from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) after May 15, and made it clear that the very popular Baguio Night Market will not yet open after the ECQ will have been lifted.
Magalong said that sequential transitioning will take place and that the night market shall open if an opportunity to do so is seen. He made it very clear though, that the night market will definitely not open on May 16, in his response to a query during a televised public briefing with the mayor on PTV4’s Isyu@Serbisyo program hosted by Edong Carta.
“We don’t want a second wave in the City of Baguio, and the only way to do that is to make sure that if we transition, I would call it in baby steps,” the mayor said.
The mayor also said that during the past three weeks of cross section consultation with different sector leaders, the consensus arrived at a timeline for a sequential transitioning strategy from ECQ to GCQ. He said adjustments will be made within that time frame.
Magalong said the timeline for the sequential transitioning strategy outlined the opening of the following:
- Construction projects, government and private;
- Key economic sectors, like restaurants, manufacturing (PEZA), and BPO companies;
- Transportation sector;
- Small businesses; and
- Scaled down entertainment and family orientated activities including sports activities in gyms, mass/worship gatherings.
“In that sequence.. it will be calibrated, it will be a gradual transition,” Magalong said.
“I just would like to manage your expectations, huwag umasa kaagad na pagdating ng GCQ ay para na tayong normal. That’s not going to happen,” he added.
The mayor assured the public that the local government is doing its best to address all the concerns and problems of the community especially those heavily impacted.
“Konting tiis lang po,” the mayor said.
Meanwhile, four areas in the city remain on lockdown:
- San Vicente barangay;
- BGH Compound;
- parts of Dominican barangay;
- and Woodsgate Subdivision in Camp 7.
Mayor Magalong also on Wednesday, May 6, transmitted to the City Public Information Office Resolution No. 253, series of 2020 he recently signed, entitled “Urging the constituents of the City of Baguio to show utmost unity, discipline, and passion to end the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.”
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