CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued an executive order revising the guidelines for travel to the city of persons coming from provinces outside Cebu.
Executive Order No. 125, which was signed March 25, 2021, modifies an earlier directive dated November 16, 2020.
Section 3 of the EO states that returning residents, private authorized persons outside residence (APOR), non-APOR, and persons traveling for leisure or humanitarian reasons shall prepare a negative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) result from a Department of Health-accredited molecular laboratory, taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival.
For persons who will be traveling from a local government unit (LGU) where no RT-PCR test is available, a certification from the LGU of origin stating the unavailability of test along with a signed memorandum of undertaking by the traveler that he/she will undergo an RT-PCR test upon arrival, must be presented.
The traveler must present a negative RT-PCR test result to the barangay within three days after arrival. PCR testing may be availed of from any private DOH-accredited molecular laboratory and city designated free swabbing centers (seaport, CHD COVID clinics) upon presenting their travel coordination permit (S-PaSS).
For government APOR on official mission or business, prior to travel to the city, he/she must not present any COVID-like symptoms. He/she must be able to present his/her official government identification and mission or travel order issued by the head of agency.
All persons who will be entering Cebu City shall register with the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System of the Department of Science and Technology at https://s-pass.ph/ and upload the applicable documentary requirements to secure a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) or Travel Pass Thru Permit (TPP), whichever applies.
Upon arrival at the ports, each person shall be checked for symptoms. Persons with symptoms shall be subjected to RT-PCR test on arrival, regardless of prior RT-PCR test result initially provided, and will submit themselves to self-quarantine until results are released.
For persons traveling to Cebu City in transit, they shall also be required to register at https://s-pass.ph/ and secure a TPP.
Such TPP shall be presented at the respective ports of origin and ports of destination.
Meanwhile, Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFW) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROF) are covered by existing national guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force, Department of Tourism, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and other agencies, which shall also apply for Cebu City-bound ROF and ROFWs. — JMO (FREEMAN)