Construction, infra projects now allowed in ECQ areas: Palace

FILE: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on January 4, 2018. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) has allowed the resumption of construction and infrastructure projects of both public and private sectors in areas placed under enhanced community, Malacañang said on Saturday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the IATF-EID, during its meeting on Friday, agreed to amend the omnibus guidelines for ECQ enforcement which initially prohibits the implementation of construction and infrastructure projects in areas that have a high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito? Pwede na po ang mga private at public construction projects, infrastructure projects sa mga ECQ (What does this mean? Construction and infrastructure projects of private and public sectors are now allowed in areas under ECQ),” he said during the Laging Handa program.

Roque said the construction works for quarantine and isolation facilities can now resume in areas under ECQ.

He added that construction personnel performing emergency works, disaster risk reduction, and rehabilitation works, sewerage projects, water service facility projects, and digital works are now allowed to report for work in ECQ areas.

Roque said the IATF-EID also allowed the priority public and private infrastructure projects for food production, agriculture, fishery, fish port development, energy, housing, communication, water facilities, manufacturing, and business process outsourcing.

He said allowing the implementation of projects in areas under ECQ should be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH).

“Dahil allowed na itong mga private at public infrastructure projects ng mga ECQ na ito, ‘yung mga construction worker po na accredited ng DPWH ay pupwede na ring pumunta doon sa kanilang mga lugar na pinagta-trabahuhan (Because private and public infrastructure projects are now allowed in areas under ECQ, construction workers accredited by DPWH can now go to the place where they work),” Roque said.

The original guidelines earlier released by IATF-EID only allowed the resumption of essential public and private construction projects in areas that are under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Following the latest development, the IATF-EID decided to give its nod on the resumption of all public and private construction projects in areas placed under GCQ, Roque said.

“Ang general rule po, lahat po ng public and private construction projects ay pupwede na sa mga lugar na GCQ. Pero kinakailangan po, kumomply doon sa mga construction safety guidelines para doon sa implementation ng infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 pandemic (The general rule is all public and private construction projects are now allowed in areas under GCQ. However, construction safety guidelines for the implementation of infrastructure projects during the Covid-19 pandemic must be complied with),” he said.

Executive Order (EO) 112, inked by President Rodrigo Duterte, implements ECQ in high-risk areas and GCQ in the rest of the country until May 15.

ECQ is imposed in Metro Manila; Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo province; Cebu province; Bacolod City; and Davao City, according to EO 12.

On Monday, Malacañang announced that Duterte has also placed Zamboanga City and Albay under ECQ until May 15.