Gov’t hands passes to limit 

people outside homes 

CORTES, Bohol, March 28 (PIA)—To be true to the principle that the lesser number of people are exposed, the lesser are the chances of transmitted infection of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Arthur Yap issued a memorandum for households to pick a representative who shall be given the pass to go out and transact any business for the household while in the duration of the community quarantine. 

Governor Yap, who now asserts his power as chief executive, to issue orders and enforcement measures during calamities as expressed in the Local Government Code, pressed on the need to impose additional measures to prevent the spread of the disease and spare the province from COVID-19. 

Along this and in strengthening the various executive orders he has issue to respond to the threat of the pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization, the governor has tasked all local chief executives to comply with the memorandum. 

The memorandum said Barangays are to issue one Pass Order to each household within their constituency in a One-household, one pass policy. 

By this, households need to elect one representative who shall get hold of the Pass to legally slip through checkpoints on regulated hours, that is between 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM to transact business with establishments and buy for the household needs. 

It may be recalled that Executive Order No 18 ordered the closure of non-essential businesses in Bohol to significantly reduce chances of people congregating and gathering in these areas. 

Establishments dealing with essential food and supplies as well as services remain open, until the regulated time as expressed in the executive order. 

The memorandum, issued March 27, takes effect on March 30. 

Moreover, other than this Pass, the government also issues work passes for workers for them to be allowed through the checkpoints and be spared from the apprehensions in violation of the community quarantine as they go out to their works. 

On the other hand, local governments also issued food passes to one member of the household who will claim their food rations given to the households. 

And just the same, all other executive order provisions that remain to be in effect are the province-wide curfew in Bohol between 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, the 24-hour curfew for minors except those who are working to help their families or those who are volunteering for medical work, and for 65 years old and above except those who are still working for food in the farms. 

Within the community quarantine period too, nobody is allowed to go out of their residences without wearing face masks and without bringing any of the passes issued by the government. 

Violation to these executive orders can be prosecuted through Republic Act 11332, and if found guilty, can be fined between P20,000.00 to P50,000.00, resisting arrest to person in authority or Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code which fetches a penalty of less than P500 and prison terms, or when the subject gets rough with the authorities, can be sued for assault to a person in authority which fetches fines of less than P1,000 and prison terms. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol) 

WORKERS PASSES. Anyone who is stopped at checkpoints and could not present any of these passes like this Work Pass, Food Pass, Home Quarantine or Transaction Pass, would be detained and prosecuted according to violations of the community quarantine which also fetches fines of up to P50,000.00. PIA/Bohol)